Back in Australia for another season at Coolmore, Wootton Bassett produced a new stakes-winner in France overnight where three year-old colt Sahlan charged home to win the Group III Prix Daphnis (1600m) at Deauville.
A homebred for Al Shaqab Racing, the Francis-Henri Graffard trained colt was given a patient ride by Mickael Barzalona and when angled into clear running let down with a big finish to score by a length and a half running away.
Sahlan has the overall record of two wins and a second from five starts with the Group I Prix du Moulin de Longchamp (1600m) next month seen as a possible next target.
The 69th stakes-winner for Wootton Bassett, Sahlan is the first foal from stakes-winning Toronado mare Wasmya, who was also bred and raced by Al Shaqab Racing.
She traces back to blue hen Lagrion, the dam of Group I winners Dylan Thomas, Queen’s Logic and Homecoming Queen with the family also producing Epsom Derby winner Serpentine and G1 winners Shale and Big Evs.
Sahlan has made a little bit of history as the very first stakes-winner anywhere in the world from a daughter of Toronado, who stands at Swettenham Stud this spring.
