Wootton Bassett Colt Sprints Clear In Round Tower Stakes

Ides Of March (2c Wootton Bassett – Nickname, by Scat Daddy) earned a step up to Group 1 company when running out a commanding winner of Saturday’s Group 3 Round Tower Stakes at the Curragh.

Aidan O’Brien’s charge showed promise in two competitive Curragh maidens before quickening clear in another earlier in the month. He was sent off favourite to follow up under Ryan Moore and led from an early stage in the six furlong sprint. Pushed clear a furlong from home, a smart turn of foot saw him win by three and a quarter lengths, as Usdi Atohi (Ten Sovereigns) and Rudi’s Apple (No Nay Never) completed a 1-2-3 for Coolmore sires.

“Ides Of March is powerful, fast horse,” said O’Brien. “He finds it very easy to go quick. He travelled very easy through the race and he ran straight today. He looks like a Middle Park horse.”

Bred by Phoenix Thoroughbreds, the son of Wootton Bassett is owned by Coolmore partners with Brookdale Racing. He completed a hat-trick for Ballydoyle, with Acapulco Bay having landed the opening maiden, while Dreamy (American Pharoah) justified favouritism in the fillies’ Group 3.