The versatility of Wootton Bassett (GB) was on show overnight in France where the Coolmore shuttler had first and third in the Group I Prix du Jockey Club (2100m) at Chantilly with Camille Pissarro claiming victory for Coolmore.
Trained by Aidan O’Brien and ridden by Ryan Moore, Camille Pissarro is no stranger to France and won the Group I Qatar Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere (1400m) at his final run as a two year-old and came into this race off a last start third in the French 2000 Guineas to Henri Matisse (Wootton Bassett).
Stepping up to a staying trio of 2100m for the first time, Camille Pissarro was sent off as favourite and was able to work through along the inside under an inspired ride from ryan Moore to claim a half length win over the Godolphin entry Cualaficar (Lope de Vega) with the Juddmonte owned Wootton Bassett colt Detain in third place.
“I'm delighted for everyone. Ryan gave Camille Pissarro an incredible ride. Christophe [Soumillon] was delighted with him the last day (French 2000 Guineas) and told us to come here with him, and what a ride Ryan gave him,” said Aidan O’Brien.
“He's a very classy horse. He was obviously a Group 1 winner on Arc day last year. It was a great run in the French 2,000 Guineas last time behind Henri Matisse, so to come back and do this is incredible.
“It's a difficult race to win because you need a horse with a lot of speed, and they have to get a mile and a quarter, but it's a very important race and it makes him a very important horse now.”
Camille Pissarro has the overall record of three wins and five placings form 10 starts.
Camille Pissarro was purchased by MV Magnier and White Birch Farm for 1.25million guineas at the Tattersalls October Yearling Sale Book 1 and was the highest priced yearling by his sire sold at that sale.
He is a half-brother to Group I winning sprinter Golden Horde and stakes-winners Exhort and Line of Departure being the eighth winner from nine foals to race from exceptional producer Entreat, a half-sister by Pivotal to Group II winner Producer.
This is the same female family that has also produced Group I Irish 2000 Guineas winner Field of Gold this year. Imagining is the third dam of Camille Pissarro and the fourth dam of Field of Gold.
Camille Pissarro is the 14th stakes-winner for Wootton Bassett since the start of 2025 and is his third G1 winner this year joining Henri Matisse and the Australian trained import Royal Patronage.
Wootton Bassett will be back at Coolmore Australia this spring at a fee of $385,000.
