Yet Another Exciting Two-Year-Old For Wootton Bassett

Kieran Shoemark described Detain (2c Wootton Bassett – Nisriyna, by Intikhab) as “a proper stakes horse” after John and Thady Gosden’s charge made it two from two with an impressive win at Kempton.

Juddmonte’s €340,000 foal buy made a smart debut over course and distance in August and was sent off a short-priced favourite to defy a penalty in Wednesday’s seven furlong novice stakes. The bay made all of the running and was shaken up to quicken clear approaching the final furlong. Eased close home, he led by seven lengths on the line.

Speaking after the race, Shoemark said, “I wanted to just give him a little bit of a stretch, try to get a feel of him and he put the race to bed nicely. It felt like a piece of work. He's a talented animal. I'm not sure we beat a whole lot there but he's a proper stakes horse.”

The performance saw bookmakers shorten Detain to 8/1 for the upcoming Group 1 Futurity Trophy and to 20/1 for the 2,000 Guineas. The exciting son of Wootton Bassett was bred by Swordlestown Little.