Announced to return to Coolmore Australia later this year, Wootton Bassett (GB) posted his 60th stakes-winner in the UK overnight when three year-old colt Swagman captured the Group III Bet 365 Classic Trial (1m2f) at Sandown.
Trained by Aidan O’Brien and ridden by Ryan Moore, Swagman was making his seasonal return after three starts at two that produced a maiden win and a second in the Group III Tyros Stakes at Leopardstown to subsequent Group I winner Hotazhell.
Swagman stayed the trip strongly and held off all challengers to forge clear and win by three-quarters of a length over the favourite Windlord, a Juddmonte Farms homebred colt by Dubawi.
“He only had three runs last year but his last one was a very good one behind Hotazhell in the Tyros,” said Ryan Moore.
“He has done well from two to three and when I got on him in the paddock I thought he had got stronger.
“They went a good even pace. He was a little bit green in places but coming off the bend, he was travelling very nicely at the two and showed a very good attitude in the last quarter mile. He seems to stay well and it doesn't seem to matter how you ride him - he's a straightforward horse. I'm happy with what he did today and he is a nice horse to look forward to.”
Bred in Germany, Swagman was bought for 170,000 euros from the BBAG September Yearling Sale by A.C. Elliott as agent for MV Magnier.
He is a half-brother to stakes-placed Santorini from unraced Galileo mare Secretina, a sibling to Group I winner Plumania, Group II winner Balladeuse and stakes-placed Dance Quest, the dam of dual Group I winning stayer Double Major, the Champion French Staying 3YO of 2023.
The family is packed with high class stayers and while Swagman does not hold an entry for the Epsom Derby, connections may consider paying up a late entry fee to put him in the race although he is in the Irish Derby.
