Fresh from siring exciting two year-old Bucanero Fuerte to win the Group I Phoenix Stakes in Ireland on Saturday, Wootton Bassett (GB) produced another new juvenile stakes-winner overnight in France when Grey Man captured the Group III Prix Francois Boutin (1400m) at Deauville.
Trained by Patrice Cottier, Grey Man had won two of his three previous starts and proved too strong for the Joseph O’Brien trained Starspangledbanner colt Mythology, drawing clear to win by a length.
“We were convinced beforehand that the horse had a great chance,” said owner Jean-Philippe Dubois.
“He had improved again from his last run and today it looked like he had the race won two out. He has won over 6 3/4 [furlongs], seven [furlongs] today and a mile last time, so he is quite versatile. For sure, he is a very good one. We shall see how he comes out of the race and then we'll decide what will be next. Right now I don't know, but there are plenty of opportunities.”
Grey Man is a half-brother to Group III winner Lesstalk in Paris and Group I placed Dastarhon being the fourth winner from five to race from Group III winner Top Toss.
Grey Man is the 36th stakes-winner for Wootton Bassett and is his fourth two year-old stakes-winner in the Northern Hemisphere this year from 11 winners with three more being stakes-placed.
Wootton Bassett is back in Australia this spring at a fee of $93,500.
