Wootton Bassett's Unquestionable Triumphs in Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf

Mark Smith - Saturday November 4

Wootton Bassett (GB) added his name to a memorable day for Coolmore Stud when his son Unquestionable headed a quinella for Aidan O'Brien in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf at Santa Anita.

Advertisement

Unquestionable was ridden by Ryan Moore to defeat the No Nay Never colt Mountain Bear by one and a half lengths, with the Cairo Prince colt My Boy Prince a head back in third.

Ryan Moore replaced Frankie Dettori on the winner after the scratching of the highly favoured River Tiber.

Never stop getting used to this (image Irish Racing/patcashhealy)

Sporting the colours of Al Shaqab Racing and raced in partnership with Coolmore, Unquestionable was making his sixth start of the season.

The son of  Wootton Bassett won a maiden at the Curragh in May and was second in the Railway Stakes and fourth in the Phoenix Stakes. He headed to Santa Anita following a second to the Blue Point (IRE) colt Rosallion in the Group 1 Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere at Longchamp on October 1.

O'Brien celebrated his sixth win in the race.

"I'm delighted for everyone," he told the Racing Post.

"River Tiber was withdrawn and I was gutted for the owners, while Dylan's [McMonagle] horse Mountain Bear ran a stormer.

"It's very tough to win here, but I'm delighted for the lads as they put so much into it. It's hard to explain because it usually goes down when things start bad [River Tiber missing out]. After all, there are a lot of areas you can't control.

"Sometimes things fall for you and sometimes they don't, but Ryan gave him a beautiful ride."

It was the 17th triumph in a Breeders' Cup race for O’Brien, who is rapidly chasing down the record of 20 set by D Wayne Lukas.

Ryan Moore felt confident in the run that Unquestionable would prove hard to beat.

"I had a bit of speed underneath me and was able to get to the rail, while I was happy at every stage,”he said.

“He's a Wootton Bassett and we thought a lot of him and River Tiber [also by Wootton Bassett], but this fella ran well in the Lagardere. If things worked out better that day, I think he could have won.

Unquestionable a €340,000 Arqana yearling

"Aidan knows the right type to bring to this race and I'm delighted he and the second ran so well. I'm sorry for Frankie missing the ride, but things fell for me."

A €340,000 purchase for Mandore International Agency/ Al Shaqab / MV Magnier from the Normandie Breeding consignment at the 2022 Arqana August Yearling Sale, Unquestionable is the first winner from two to race for the Sea The Stars mare Strawberry Lace, a daughter of the stakes-winning Holy Roman Emperor mare Crying Lightening.

Unquestionable follows Almanzor, Audarya, Zellie, Bucanero Fuerte, King Of Steel, Wooded, Incarville, and Al Riffa as winners at the elite level for Wootton Bassett (GB), who stands at Coolmore Stud for $93,500.

Advertisment
More Reading...
Million Dollar Goal for I Am Invincible Filly
Tony and Calvin McEvoy landed a lucrative victory in the $1million Magic Millions National 2YO Classic in May last year with Arabian Summer and are hopeful they have another filly that can do the job this year in Sisstainable.
First Win for Sword of State Half-Sister
Well-related filly Paravane broke through for her maiden win in pleasing fashion at Ellerslie on Wednesday when taking out the Join TAB Racing Club 1200 in the hands of senior hoop Vinnie Colgan.
Pedigree Watch – Euro 3YO Chester Classic Trials
Godolphin have been dominating the Northern Hemisphere classics in spectacular fashion on both sides of the Atlantic, but Coolmore had their turn at Chester overnight producing a homebred colt from a family with an Aussie offshoot and a sale-topping filly with Derby and Oaks aspirations.
Queensland Calling for Exciting Wootton Bassett Colt
Champion trainer Chris Waller is renowned for producing talented back season juveniles that blossom into stakes performers and we saw one at Warwick Farm on Wednesday when heavily backed Wootton Bassett (GB) colt Regulated Affair opened his account.
Castelvecchio Filly Records Promising Victory
Having placed in her first two starts, the Peter Moody and Katherine Coleman trained Street Lark (Castelvecchio) appeared to appreciate the step up to the 1500m of Wednesday’s Sportsbet Get On Extra Plate at Caulfield to break her maiden with a promising performance..
Inglis Chairman’s Sale-Toppers – Where Are They Now?
A star studded renewal of the Inglis Chairman’s Sale will light up Riverside Stables this evening from 5pm with glamour girls Bella Nipotina and Amelia’s Jewel vying for top honours, so we’re taking a quick look back to check in on some of the stars from the past.
Japanese Bred Filly Wins At Eagle Farm
Could trainer Kris Lees have the Group 1 Queensland Oaks (2200m) on his mind after his three-year-old, northern hemisphere bred filly Eclair Encore (Jpn) recorded a strong victory over 1800m at Eagle Farm.
Rising Stars - Metro 2YO Double for Wootton Bassett
Coolmore shuttler Wootton Bassett (GB) unleashed not one but two exciting juveniles at Warwick Farm on Wednesday with the opening race going to the colt Regulated Affair and shortly after it was the turn of the Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott trained filly Agarwood.
Sires With Winners - Wednesday May 7
Here is the full list of 44 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
So You Think Filly Shows Oaks Potential
The Bjorn Baker stable has been on fire this year and it’s full steam ahead to Queensland for talented So You Think filly Dame Commander, who beat older rivals at Warwick Farm on Wednesday.