Set to join Camille Pissarro as the second G1 winning son of Wootton Bassett on the stallion roster for Ireland in 2026 is Henri Matisse, who this time last year was about to claim his first G1 victory at the Breeders Cup meeting at Del Mar.
A top-flight winner at both 2 and 3 years, Henri Matisse retires to stud not only the fastest ever winner of the Group 1 Poule d'Essai des Poulains but also the only Classic-winning miler by the late, great Wootton Bassett.
Opening his account on debut at the Curragh over 6 furlongs in May of his 2YO season, he quickly followed up with commanding victories in both the Group 2 Railway Stakes over 6 furlongs again and the Group 2 Futurity Stakes over 7 furlongs under a penalty. In doing so, he accounted for subsequent Group 1 winners Hotazhell, Scorthy Champ and Arizona Blaze with considerable ease.
Following a narrow defeat in the Group 1 National Stakes, Henri Matisse went on to justify favouritism in the Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile round the sharp Del Mar mile under a hands-and-heels ride from Ryan Moore.
After getting his Classic campaign off to the very best possible start with a smooth success in a Leopardstown Guineas Trial, he went to Longchamp for the Group 1 Poule d'Essai des Poulains as a short-priced favourite and the choice of stable jockey Ryan Moore.
Ridden confidently, Henri Matisse again displayed his explosive turn of foot to score in some style, smashing the track record for the Longchamp mile.
Next time out at Royal Ascot, he finished a gallant second, splitting the Irish and English Guineas winners Field of Gold and Ruling Court.
In a career that is marked not only by great class and quality, Henri Matisse can also boast incredible consistency, having won or been placed in nine of his eleven racecourse appearances with the only two unplaced efforts coming on softer ground.
“A very good 2YO winning Grade 1 or Group 2 races over 6 furlongs, 7 furlongs and a mile, Henri Matisse totally outclassed his rivals at the Breeders’ Cup and again showed his brilliance with a track record-breaking win in the French Guineas,” commented Coolmore’s David O’Loughlin.
“Himself and Camille Pissarro are the only sons of Wootton Bassett to have won Group 1s at both 2 and 3 years, while Wootton Bassett’s first two sons to stud have both sired Group 1 winners in France this year. Henri Matisse hails from one of the best damlines in the book. His dam Immortal Verse, winner of the Coronation Stakes and Jacques Le Marois, set a European record for a broodmare when purchased for 4,700,000Gns and has also bred Champion 2YO Tenebrism and unbeaten Group 2 winner Statuette. When you put all this together with his physique and movement, he is sure to prove popular with breeders.”
A stud fee for Henri Matisse will be announced in due course.
