West Australian breeders are set to welcome an exciting addition at Darling Vew Thoroughbreds this spring with high class Wootton Bassett import Royal Patronage (Fr) to join the roster.
An elite son of champion sire Wootton Bassett, Royal Patronage was a high class juvenile in Europe for the Mark Johnston stable and won the Group II Newmarket Royal Lodge Stakes (1m) beating Coroebus, who would return at three to win the Group I Newmarket 2000 Guineas.
Trained as a stayer in his classic year, Royal Patronage contested the Epsom Derby, but discovered his sweet spot when purchased for 300,000 guineas from the Tattersalls Autumn Horses in Training Sale and sent to the Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott stable at four.
Prepared as a sprinter miler, Royal Patronage blossomed under the Australian sun and won the Group II ATC Tramway Stakes (1400m) at his first Australian start beating high class mare Amelia’s Jewel, before finishing third to Ceolwulf in the Group I ATC Epsom Handicap.
In the autumn, he was better again winning the Group I ATC Canterbury Stakes (1300m) and finishing second to Stefi Magnetica in the Group I ATC Doncaster Mile.
Brent Atwell is thrilled to secure such an elite stallion for WA.
“That (the Doncaster) was arguably his best run in Australia. He was caught three and four wide without cover and was only beaten a lip by Stefi Magnetica,” said Brent Atwell.
“I didn’t like our chances of buying a Group 1 winner of that calibre especially after his sire Wootten Basset died, but we were able to clinch a stud deal earlier this month.
“He’s having a break at The Oaks and will fly over in May.”
Royal Patronage retires with six wins and six placings from 1300 to 1700m and four of his wins came in Group races here and in the UK.
Completely free of Danehill blood, he comes with a deep pedigree with a real Aga Khan Studs flavour being from the family of Champion 3YO Shahrastani.
Royal Patronage will stand at Darling View at a fee of $16,500 inc. GST on a roster headed by WA Champion Sire Playing God (Blackfriars), alongside young guns Splintex (Snitzel) and Lightsaber (Zoustar). Their fees will be announced next week.
