From last to first, exciting two year-old colt Henri Matisse scored an eye-catching win in the Group II Railway Stakes (6f) at The Curragh overnight becoming the 44th stakes-winner for his sire Wootton Bassett (GB), who will return to Coolmore Australia this spring.
Trained by Aidan O’Brien and ridden by Wayne Lordan, Henri Matisse won on debut over the same course and distance in May, but was not the top runner from Ballydoyle in this assignment with Ryan Moore electing to ride his stablemate Tunbridge Wells.
Henri Matisse got back in the field as he did on debut, but produced a sizzling late finish to charge home and win by half a length with the performance so impressive he is now listed as short as 10-1 for the 2000 Guineas next year.
"We thought he was a bit too babyish to go to Ascot and Wayne said he was still babyish there today, but that he will love going up to seven,” said Aidan O'Brien.
“We will see what we have for the Phoenix Stakes (G1) and we will see if we go up to seven next time. He's a lovely horse, though, he tries very hard and he has an unbelievable pedigree."
Bred by the Immortal Verse Syndicate and retained to race by the Coolmore partners, Henri Matisse is a half-brother to Champion European 2YO Filly and dual Group I winner Tenebrism as well as Group II winner Statuette being the third stakes-winner among five winners from dual Group I winning Pivotal mare Immortal Verse.
It’s an elite Black Type packed family that features champion sire Last Tycoon.
Wootton Bassett will have his first Australian runners next season and will stand in Australia this spring with his fee still to be confirmed.
