Fresh from an Australian stakes double on Saturday, ill-fated Wootton Basset (GB) sired two of the first three in the Group I Coral Eclipse Stakes (1m2f) at Sandown overnight in the UK with victory going to race favourite Constitution River.
Trained by Aidan O’Brien and ridden by Ryan Moore, Constitution River was second in a maiden race at Newmarket last July and has not been defeated since.
He won his maiden at Galway at his next start and finished his juvenile season with a Group II win in Ireland last August before returning at three to win the Listed Chester Dee Stakes and then the Group I Prix du Jockey Club at Chantilly.
Taking on older rivals, Constitution River was much too good as three year-olds dominated the race in the absence of gun older horses such as Ombudsman, Daryz and Calandagan.
He opened up to win by three lengths over Starspangedbanner 3YO colt A Boy Called Susie (fourth in the French Derby) with his stablemate Hawk Mountain (Wootton Bassett), who was second in the French Derby, in third place.
“We feel Constitution River is a very special horse. He has no problem staying at a mile and a quarter, dropping back to a mile or going up to a mile and a half. I asked Ryan [Moore] and he said you can go wherever you want to and he said he doesn't think he's ridden a better horse, so I'd say all options are open to him," said Aidan O'Brien.
“He is still maturing and is a big, scopey horse. I think he'll have a little rest now, obviously there is the Juddmonte and the Irish Champion Stakes. We always thought the world of him.
“Everything he has done has been so special all the way. We felt we hadn't seen the bottom of him. He is improving, classy and loves racing. We are delighted - he is a proper horse.”
Constitution River was bought from the Cadran draft at Arqana Deauville August Yearling Sale by MV Magnier for €400,000.
With five wins and a second from six starts, he is building an impressive record and is the first foal of Chuppy, a placed sister to dual Group I winning mare Wonderful Tonight and half-sister to stakes-winner Penjade and going back further it is the family of Epsom Derby winning Group I sire Camelot.
His third dam is stakes-winner Birdie, a half-sister to stakes-winner Fickle, who is the grand-dam of Camelot.
Constitution River is one of 20 stakes-winners in 2026 sired by Wootton Bassett worldwide and is the second Group I winner joining Australian trained G1 Queensland Derby winner Providence.
The last Australian bred foals by Wootton Bassett will be born later this year.
Footnote: The G1 Coral Eclipse is an important race for a colt to win and five of the past six winners of this race will be standing at stud in Australasia this year, click to read the story and the stallions are Delacroix, City of Troy, Paddington, St Mark’s Basilica, Ghaiyyath.
