Listed Winner Adds To Impressive Figures For Wootton Bassett

The Fabrice chappet-trained Speak Of The Devil (3f Wootton Bassett - Moranda, by Indian Rocket) gained a deserved Stakes success in Thursday’s Listed Prix de Saint-Cyr at Longchamp.

Beaten just a nose in the Poule d’Essai des Pouliches in June, the bay went on to finish fourth in the Group 1 Prix Rothschild in August and dropped back to seven furlongs on her latest start. She was sent off favourite under Cristian Demuro and raced towards the back of the field, waiting until the 300 metre marker to quicken. Bearing down on the leaders, she led close home to deny stablemate Mageva (Wootton Bassett), who had finished third in the aforementioned Classic.

Owned by Rashit Shaykhutdinov, Speak Of The Devil was bred by Herve Viallon and becomes an eighth individual Stakes winner from Wootton Bassett’s current three-year-old crop.

Wootton Bassett’s juveniles include impressive Group 2 scorer Chindit and the latest winner to add to his fine record was Rosie Bassett (2f Wootton Bassett - Lipstick Rose, by Dream Ahead), who justified favoritism in a five furlong maiden at the Curragh, also on Thursday.

Second on debut in a six furlong contest at the track, she once again led under Shane Foley and was asked to quicken approaching the final furlong. Keeping on well, she scored by a length and a half from Shelly Banks, who finished four lengths clear of the third horse.

Rosie Bassett continues a fine season for the Jessica Harrington stable and was bought in utero by Hillwood Bloodstock for €180,000. She is the first foal out of Lipstick Rose, herself a half-sister to Grade 1 victor Mast Track and Group 1 winner Jemayel.