Wootton Bassett Colt Slashed For Guineas After Group 2 Success

The exciting Chindit (2c Wootton Bassett - Always A Dream, by Oasis Dream) extended his unbeaten record when landing Saturday’s Group 2 Champagne Stakes at Doncaster.

A debut winner in July, the Richard Hannon-trained colt went on to win the Listed Pat Eddery Stakes, beating subsequent Stakes winner Cobh. Once again racing over seven furlongs on Saturday, he was positioned towards the back of the field by Pat Dobbs and was ridden to swoop down on the leaders two furlongs from home. Leading inside the final furlong, he ran on well to win by a length from favourite Albasheer, as Irish raider State Of Rest (Starspangledbanner) took third; the first three finishing over seven lengths clear of the field.

Hannon was impressed by his charge’s performance, saying, “He got there quite easily and the first three were a long way clear of the fourth. I think that's probably the best two-year-old race of the season so far - the second's a very good horse and the third obviously is. To find a very good horse like him with a very good temperament, they don't come along every year, far from it. This is another step up on the way to the Dewhurst.”

Chindit was slashed to 8/1 for the Guineas after his latest success for owner Michael Pescod. He is the first foal bred by JC Bloodstock and Rory Mahon out of Always A Dream, herself out of a Galileo sister to top-class racehorse Motivator (Montjeu) and dual Group winner Macarthur (Montjeu).

Chindit continues a fantastic week for sire sensation Wootton Bassett, who sired ten six-figure lots at Arqana’s Select Yearling Sale. His current juveniles also include impressive newcomer Akmaam, while his three-year-old crop has already yielded eight Stakes winners. Last month, Audarya captured the Prix Jean Romanet to become a second Group 1 winner by Coolmore’s recent recruit.