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? “
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 $385,000 this spring.
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.
