Explosive Debut for Wootton Bassett 2YO

Wootton Bassett has an exciting crop of two-year-olds to run for him in the Northern Hemisphere this year and the Aidan O’Brien trained colt River Tiber (2c Wootton Bassett x Transcendence, by Arcano) gave promise of big things to come when bolting in on debut at Navan on Saturday.

Ridden by Ryan Moore, River Tiber was in a class of his own, powering clear to win the five and a half furlong maiden by a jaw dropping 10 lengths to earn TDN Rising Star status.

“He was very impressive,” stable representative Chris Armstrong said after the race.

“His homework has been strong and it is great that he brought the same to the track. He's a lovely horse and you love everything about him - athletic, physical and a good mind.”

Aidan O’Brien was also full of praise for the colt and is keen to look at Royal Ascot with the Group II Coventry Stakes a likely option.

River Tiber was purchased for 480,000 guineas from Tattersalls October Book 1 Yearling Sale and is the first winner from Transcendence, an unraced half-sister to stakes-winners Mister Manannan and Shermeen, the dam of Group I winning 2YO Sudirman.

He is the second two year-old winner for Wootton Bassett from two runners this year in the Northern Hemisphere.

Wootton Bassett has a small selection of weanlings to be offered in Australia at upcoming sales with the proven Group I sire likely to make his presence felt in a big way at Aussie yearling sales in 2024.