Wootton Bassett Filly Wins Listed Prize En Route To Prix De Diane

Sunday saw Gala Real (3f Wootton Bassett – Cala Violina, by Lope De Vega) complete a hat-trick of wins in the Listed Prix de la Seine at Longchamp.

The Alessandro and Giuseppe Botti trained filly won her second start by all of 11 lengths in November and returned last month to win a Class 2 contest at Saint-Cloud in fine style. Sent off favourite on Sunday, she was settled at the back of the field by Ioritz Mendizabal and was last as they turned for home. Switched wide two furlongs from home, she ran on well from a furlong out to lead close home.

Speaking after the race, Alessandro Botti said, “It took her time to find her best stride and what we learnt today is that she needs a strong pace. She now knows how to fight and this win will make some noise around Madrid. Carlo (Ancellotti) won the championship yesterday and now this. He called immediately to be sure she had won and the Prix de Diane dream is still alive.”

Carlo Ancellotti’s Scuderia Dei Duepi co-owns the Wootton Bassett filly with Ballylinch Stud and Ecurie des Charmes. Meridian International’s €270,000 yearling purchase was bred by Noir et or Elevage S.A. with Ecurie Skymarc Farm.