Wootton Bassett Colts Lead Home Ballydoyle 1-2

Coolmore sires dominated the finish of Wednesday’s seven furlong maiden at Dundalk, where Serengeti (2c Wootton Bassett – Holy Roman Empress, by Holy Roman Emperor) led them home under Declan McDonogh.

The Ballydoyle colt and stablemate First Wave (Wootton Bassett) both made promising debuts behind stablemate Expanded (Wootton Bassett) at the Curragh earlier this month and winner went on to finish a close second in the Dewhurst Stakes. Serengeti since finished third to recent Group 1 winner Twain (Wootton Bassett) and was well-supported on his third start.

Travelling strongly throughout, he led from two furlongs out and overcame signs of inexperience to win by a length and a quarter. The favourite First Wave (Wootton Bassett) claimed runners-up honours, a length and three quarters ahead of Hostility (No Nay Never) in third.

Four of the last five runnings of this maiden have been won by subsequent Stakes performers, including Irish 2,000 Guineas runner-up Vatican City (Galileo).

On the latest winner, Ballydoyle representative Chris Armstrong commented, “He's one to look forward to, along with the second horse, for next year. This horse could start off in a Guineas Trial - he's a fine, big horse. They are two smart colts.”

Owned by Coolmore partners with Peter Brant, Serengeti was bought by MV Magnier and White Birch Farm as a yearling for €800,000. The Wootton Bassett colt was bred by China Horse Club out of the Coolmore-bred Holy Roman Empress (American Pharoah).