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"River Tiber was withdrawn and I was gutted for the owners, while Dylan's [McMonagle] horse Mountain Bear ran a stormer.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...
Sires With Winners - Sunday June 22
Here is the full list of 76 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
One to Watch Wins Again!
It might be winter and all eyes may have been on Royal Ascot this week, but there was a winner at Flemington on Saturday that will have caught the eye of anyone with half an interest towards spring racing and emerging talent.
One to Watch – Cranbourne
Second in the Group III VRC Maribyrnong Plate last year to Tycoon Star, this Cosmic Force colt made light work of a maiden at Cranbourne on Sunday when bolting away to win as he pleased.
Royal Ascot Day 5 – Runaway, Rising Empire and My Best Friend
After five spectacular days of racing, Royal Ascot is over with the finale overnight producing high drama with a runaway G1 winner, the rise of a racing empire and the first stakes horse for St Mark’s Basilica.
Sires With Winners - Saturday June 21
Here is the full list of 101 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Godolphin’s Kin Wins Listed Gai Waterhouse Classic
After recording her first black type victory during last year’s spring carnival, the James Cummings trained Kin has produced three quality black type efforts during the Queensland carnival, resulting in a thoroughly deserving victory in Saturday's $160,000 Listed Gai Waterhouse Classic (1200m) at Ipswich.
Bonny Grey Mare Wins G3 Strickland
Last December at Ascot, popular grey mare Admiration Express (My Admiration) nearly caused the upset result of the year when she charged home at odds of 100/1 in the G1 Northerly Stakes for second behind Victorian raider Light Infantry Man.
Highview Makes Welcome Return to Weanling Sale
Many of the vendors at this month’s NZB National Weanling Sale are familiar faces who are renowned for their quality drafts at this sale every year, but the 2025 edition also sees an old friend being welcomed back to the fold.
Aussie Golden Eagle Form Delivers Royal Ascot G1 Finale
There were a couple of Aussie elements to the brilliant victory of Lazzat in the Group I Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes (6f) at Royal Ascot overnight as he came to our shores last year and very nearly won the $10million Golden Eagle.
Three on the Trot for Zousain 3YO
The Paul Shailer stable has been flying over the winter carnival and one of the stable stars has been Zousain gelding Mister Bianco, who made it three wins in succession when taking out the $150,000 Schweppes TL Cooney (1350m) at Ipswich on Saturday.