Wootton bassett

There was much consternation when only three new Flat stallions retired to stand in Britain for the 2025 season. It remains to be seen whether this was a blip, but if it becomes a trend then obviously it is cause for concern. It is easy to understand why, in an increasingly commercial sphere, breeders would either flock to the proven elite (for those with mares good enough and pockets deep enough) or to the next first-season sire on the block who may be forgiven for a year or two until...

Observations on the European Racing Scene turns the spotlight on the best European races of the day, highlighting well-bred horses early in their careers, horses of note returning to action and young runners that achieved notable results in the sales ring. Saturday's Observations features last year's BBAG sale topper. 4.15 Doncaster, Mdn, 2yo, 8fT DEL MARO (GER) (Camelot {GB}) bids to build on his debut second at Newmarket for Godolphin and Charlie Appleby on ground that is sure to play to his strengths as a son of the Preis der...

Observations on the European Racing Scene turns the spotlight on the best European races of the day, highlighting well-bred horses early in their careers, horses of note returning to action and young runners that achieved notable results in the sales ring. Friday's Observations features a Wootton Bassett daughter of Qemah. 4.10 Doncaster, Mdn, 2yo, f, 7f 6yT WID (IRE) (Wootton Bassett {GB}) debuts for Al Shaqab Racing in this race won 12 months ago by the sire's Whirl and is a homebred daughter of the Coronation Stakes and Prix Rothschild...

Observations on the European Racing Scene turns the spotlight on the best European races of the day, highlighting well-bred horses early in their careers, horses of note returning to action and young runners that achieved notable results in the sales ring. Thursday's Observations features the return of a Wootton Bassett 'TDN Rising Star'. 1.50 Doncaster, Cond, 2yo, 6f 111yT BRUSSELS (GB) (Wootton Bassett {GB}) takes a class drop for this Weatherbys Scientific £300,000 2-Y-O Stakes in which stablemate Camille Pissarro managed to get beaten 12 months ago before going to...

Observations on the European Racing Scene turns the spotlight on the best European races of the day, highlighting well-bred horses early in their careers, horses of note returning to action and young runners that achieved notable results in the sales ring. Tuesday's Observations features 'TDN Rising Star' Zanthos. 2.50 Leicester, Novice, 2yo, f, 7fT ZANTHOS (Sioux Nation) has so far done everything perfectly, from making €1 million at Arqana's May Breeze-Up to earning 'TDN Rising Star' status on debut at Newmarket, and now has to take the second step under...

Francis Graffard has had his horses on song from early spring, and anyone who felt that the trainer surely could not maintain such a good run of form is now being proved wrong. He is so far clear of Andre Fabre in the French trainers' table that a first champion title for Graffard is starting to look a mere formality.  As if to underline his dominance, the trainer secured two more Group 1 victories on Sunday. Goliath struck in the Grosser Preis von Baden - a first top-level win for...

Observations on the European Racing Scene turns the spotlight on the best European races of the day, highlighting well-bred horses early in their careers, horses of note returning to action and young runners that achieved notable results in the sales ring. Thursday's Observations features a blue-blooded daughter of Wootton Bassett making her racecourse debut. 5.20 Newbury, Mdn, 2yo, f, 6fT SPLISH SPLASH (IRE) (Wootton Bassett {GB}) is the second foal out of the high-class Skitter Scatter (Scat Daddy), who was successful in the G1 Moyglare Stud Stakes, G2 Debutante Stakes...

   In this series, the TDN takes a look at notable successes of European-based sires in North America. This week's column is highlighted by the victory of Fille d'Oro at Saratoga. Wootton Bassett Filly Paints The Spa Gold Gregory Hoffman's Fille d'Oro (Wootton Bassett) dashed home a debut winner at Saratoga on August 23 (video). Bred by Ecurie des Charmes and Haras d'Etreham, the filly was picked up for €330,000 at the Arqana August Yearling Sale by Clay Scherer and is trained by Brad Cox. The third foal out of...

Group 2 winner Green Impact will miss the rest of the season after picking up an injury at York, according to trainer Jessica Harrington. Successful in the G2 Champions Juvenile Stakes, the son of Wootton Bassett won the Listed Glencairn Stakes this June after running sixth in the G1 2000 Guineas at Newmarket. He was sixth in the G1 Irish Derby to Lambourn (Australia), and was most recently fourth in the G2 York Stakes at York last week. "Green Impact won't run again this season. He got an injury in...

6th-Saratoga, $100,000, Msw, 8-22, 2yo, f, 1 1/16mT, 1:42.48, fm, 1 1/2 lengths. FILLE D'ORO (IRE) (f, 2, Wootton Bassett {GB}--D'oro Diva, by Medaglia d'Oro), off at odds just shy of 6-1, was steered away from the pocket entering the final furlong of Friday's sixth race at Saratoga and finished nicely to graduate in her first trip to the races for trainer Brad Cox. A €330,000 purchase by agent Clay Scherer out of last year's Arqana August Yearling Sale in Deauville, the bay filly was trapped out three deep nearing...

Observations on the European Racing Scene turns the spotlight on the best European races of the day, highlighting well-bred horses early in their careers, horses of note returning to action and young runners that achieved notable results in the sales ring. Saturday's Observations features a son of a Belmont Oaks heroine. 1.42 Curragh, Debutantes, 2yo, 7fT CIRCLE OF LIFE (IRE) (Dubawi {Ire}) is a notable newcomer for Ballydoyle in the maiden the stable won with Officer and Continuous in the last three years. Out of the Belmont Oaks winner Athena,...

The leading owners battled it out for the progeny of Wootton Bassett on a day when the Coolmore stallion was responsible for the €2.3 million top lot DEAUVILLE, FRANCE -- What more can you say that hasn't already been said about Wootton Bassett? If Aidan O'Brien was asked to sum up the stallion, you can be sure the words, different, special and unusual would be the first ones to be ticked off that bingo card.  Even the most cynical of people will have to start agreeing with the master of...