Wootton Bassett’s Epic Rise Continues In Prix Jean Romanet

Audarya (4f Wootton Bassett - Green Bananas, by Green Tune) produced a career-best performance to land Sunday’s Prix Jean Romanet at Deauville, and in turn became a second top-flight winner by recent Coolmore recruit Wootton Bassett.

The James Fanshawe-trained filly won twice last season, ending her three-year-old campaign with a Listed second and was last seen scoring over ten furlongs at Newcastle. Racing over the same trip on Sunday, she raced prominently under Ioritz Mendizabal and was asked to challenge a furlong and a half from home. Leading approaching the final furlong, she stayed on well to deny recent Group 2 winner Ambition by a neck on the line, as they drew four lengths clear of the third.

Speaking after the race, the winning trainer said, “She's a filly I‘ve always loved. It's great for Alison Swinburn because she is the first nice filly she’s had with us.” On future plans, Fanshawe added, “I put Audarya in the Prix de l’Opera this week so we’ll see. We'll enjoy this first.”

Bred by Haras D’Ecouves, the daughter of Wootton Bassett was bought by Stroud Coleman as a yearling for €125,000. She becomes her sire’s second Group 1 winner after champion three-year-old colt Almanzor, the latter hailing from Wootton Bassett’s first crop of just 23 foals.

Wootton Bassett’s current crop of three-year-olds has already produced eight Stakes winners, while this season’s juveniles include unbeaten Listed winner Chindit.