New G1 Winner for Wootton Bassett

Tara Madgwick - Monday September 8

Back in Australia for another season at Coolmore, Wootton Bassett (GB) was expected to get a 3YO Group I winner in France on Sunday, but the horse that got the job done was not the one punters expected.

The Group I Prix du Moulin du Longchamp (1600m) attracted a crack field of milers with victory going to the French trained Wootton Bassett colt Sahlan.

A homebred for Al Shaqab Racing, the Francis-Henri Graffard trained colt was given a patient ride by Mickael Barzalona and scored a thrilling head win over established older star miler Rosallion with The Lion in Winter holding third and race favourite Henri Matisse, another son of Wootton Bassett, was a close fifth.

“Today was a big challenge. I said to His Highness Sheikh Joaan that I didn't have many options for Sahlan and that he was in very good form and he can quicken. It was a big gamble but I said if he was in the first five it would be fine, we have nothing to lose, and he believed in me and obviously it paid off really nicely today,” said Francis’ Henri Graffard.

“I've always liked the horse. In the Poule d'Essai we had a lot of excuses and then he was sick when he was beaten in the Listed race.

“He won comfortably in the G3 last time. I don't think I'll run him again here on soft ground. I'll speak to the entourage but if he's well, why not go to the Breeders' Cup Mile? “

Advertisement

Pedigree

Sahlan has the overall record of three wins from six starts and 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 is the 16th Group I winner and fifth this year for Wootton Bassett, whose fee is set at $385,0000 this spring.

Wootton Bassett (GB has sired five G1 winners in 2025.

Sahlan also made a little bit of history earlier this year as the very first stakes-winner anywhere in the world from a daughter of Toronado, and now he is his first G1 winner as a broodmare sire.

Advertisment
More Reading...
G1 Haydock Sprint Cup Upset
Wathnan Racing were expecting to win the Group I Haydock Sprint Cup (6f) overnight with short priced race favourite Lazzat, but the best he could manage was fifth behind progressive three year-old colt Big Mojo.
Pedigree Watch – 3YO Plus That G1 Late Bloomer
Saturday delivered another exciting instalment of early spring racing with three stakes races for 3YO’s and once again all of them were won by new first time stakes-winners that were virtually unsighted at two and we also had a new G1 winner, whose path to the top has been anything but smooth.
Toronado Withdrawn from Service
Victorian breeders have been dealt a blow with Swettenham Stud announcing on Sunday evening that their champion sire Toronado (IRE) would not cover any mares in 2025 as he recovers from a significant infection that caused lameness.
Ka Ying Rising Straight to Everest Quarantine after Return Romp
Hong Kong Champion Ka Ying Rising was headed straight to quarantine to prepare for the Group I The Everest after another stunning performance when resuming for the new season on Sunday at Sha Tin.
Derby Dreaming for Crown of Russia
Danny O’Brien already has one promising winner by his former G1 star Russian Camelot (IRE) in the stable in Censori and on Sunday at Bendigo he unleashed another.
$1.65million Invincible Colt Hostility Resuming on Saturday
Te Akau Racing will hold a strong hand on Proisir Plate Day at Ellerslie on Saturday, particularly in the age group features.
Sires With Winners - Friday September 5
Here is the full list of 41 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Ones to Watch – Bendigo
At this time of year, you tend to take special notice of well-bred 3YO debut winners and three of them arrived at Bendigo on Sunday that were all interesting for different reasons and none more so than one who has a name that has become infamous this year.
Aussie Connection with Impressive St Mark’s Basilica Debut Winner
2021 European Horse of the Year St Mark’s Basilica (Fr) is at Coolmore Australia this spring and had an impressive debut winner at Ascot overnight with El Vamos powering clear of her rivals to win as she pleased.
Breeding To Win – 2025 G1 AJ Moir Stakes
The Valley blasts into spring G1 action with the running of the $750,000 AJ Moir Stakes WFA at 1000m, and it's always an exciting spectacle when a full field of flyers are going full bore on the turning track!