Leading French stallion Wootton Bassett will stand in Ireland next year following his purchase by Coolmore.
Unbeaten in five starts at two for Richard Fahey, Wootton Bassett (Iffraaj) won the Group 1 Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere and ended the year rated the Champion Two-Year-Old Colt in France.
Wootton Bassett’ retired to Haras d’Etreham in France at a fee of €6,000 and stood at €40,000 in 2020.
He is the sire of 14 stakes winners to date including the Prix du Jockey-Club winner and sire Almanzor.
“From his initial small crops in France, Wootton Bassett has achieved outstanding results,” Coolmore’s David O’Loughlin said in a statement.
“His first crop of just 23 foals included Classic winner and European Champion 3YO Almanzor, he’s had two other colts finish second in the Prix du Jockey Club and two fillies finish second, beaten only a nose, and third in this year’s French Guineas – and this all from €6,000 nominations or less.
“He strikes us as a real Classic stallion, he gets a very good type and is a total outcross with his pedigree free of the major European forces like Sadler’s Wells, Galileo, Montjeu, Danehill, Green Desert, Invincible Spirit, Danehill Dancer and Dubawi.
“We are thrilled that he is coming to Coolmore and are very excited about what he might achieve when paired with our Galileo mares.”
“It has been an amazing journey, a real pleasure and a great pride for everybody at Etreham to be involved in Wootton Bassett’s stud career as he established himself as the most exciting up-and-coming sire in Europe,” said Haras d’Etreham’s Nicolas de Chambure.
“With his best-bred crops yet to run I have no doubt that he has a brilliant future ahead of him and the quality of the broodmare band at Coolmore will give him a wonderful opportunity to continue his upward trajectory.