Flying Start for Almanzor's Sire

Media Release - Thursday May 14

Wootton Bassett has been the star of the show since racing got underway in France following a COVID-19-enforced break.

The sire of high-class Cambridge Stud shuttle stallion Almanzor posted a stakes-winning double within three days of resumption of action.

Almanzor is returning to Cambridge Stud later this yearThe Henri-Alex Pantall-trained The Summit got the ball rolling when he triumphed in the Gr.3 Prix de Fontainbleau (1600m) at Longchamp.

The Summit's all-the-way success makes him one of the leading contenders for the Gr.1 Poule d'Essai des Poulains (French 2,000 Guineas) on June 1st.

The colt’s success was followed up by the Francis Graffard-prepared Wooded’s victory in the Gr.3 Prix Texanita (1100m) at Chantilly.

Wooded is raced by Al Shaqab, who is now looking at a Group One Royal Ascot feature with the Irish-bred youngster.

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“We can dream of the Commonwealth Cup now, if that is what Sheikh Joaan and Francis decide, and if it is possible to travel,” Al Shaqab representative Rupert Pritchard-Gordon said.

“In France he would have to face older horses, but I think he deserves a crack at Group One company.”

Champion three-year-old Almanzor will return to Cambridge Stud from his French base at Haras d’Etreham for another tour of duty in 2020.

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