Wootton Bassett, an unbeaten Group 1 winning juvenile, commenced his stud career in France in 2012. He has already produced three Group 1 winners and several other black type winners from low initial stud fees.
His sire Iffraaj (GB) has been shuttling to New Zealand since 2008 and has also proved a successful sire at the highest level in both hemispheres. Analysis of Iffraaj’s and Wootton Bassett’s top performers can provide insight into the lines which will best suit the latter in Australia.
Iffraaj’s damsire is Nureyev, while his second damsire Ahonoora is a son of Lorenzaccio – both members of the GOODY TWO SHOES family. Mares carrying individuals such as SADLER’S WELLS, FAIRY KING (sire of ENCOSTA DE LAGO, FALBRAV, ADVENTUROUS, REVOQUE, HELISSIO, SHINKO KING and VICTORY NOTE), LT STEVENS, VAL DE LOIR, THATCH (and son THATCHING), TATE GALLERY, GEIGER COUNTER, YEATS, TOPSIDER, REFORM and OPEN DAY appeal to boost this prepotent line.
Reinforcement of this family has proven successful for both Iffraaj and Wootton Bassett. Iffraaj’s Gr1 winners Jon Snow and Ribchester carry a duplication of Nureyev, while Turn Me Loose and Wyndspelle carry Sadler’s Wells. Wootton Basset’s Gr1 winning daughter Audarya carries Val De Loir, while Gr1 placed Wootton and Gr2 winner Chindit contribute Sadler’s Wells via their dams.
The Minstrel, damsire of Zafonic on Wootton Bassett’s sire line, is a TORPENHOW family member. This is also the family of NIJINSKY II, REDOUTE’S CHOICE, MANHATTAN RAIN, RUBICK, NIAGARA, AL MAHER, MASTERCLASS, NEW REGENT, SPINNING WORLD, DOMESDAY, EL GRAN SENOR, TRY MY BEST (sire of LAST TYCOON), FAR NORTH, UMATILLA, XAAR, HURRICANE SKY, FREE AMERICA, GOOD JOURNEY, DR. JOHNSON, and FRIENDLY RELATIONS. This influential family is another to which Wootton Bassett and his sire Iffraaj have responded. Wootton Bassett’s Gr1 winners Almanzor and Audarya both carry duplications of Nijinsky II, as does Iffraaj’s Gr1 winner Gingernuts. Jon Snow and Ribchester contribute fellow family member Try My Best via his son LAST TYCOON. Sources of Last Tycoon include WRITTEN TYCOON and his sire IGLESIA, MONDE BLEU, O’REILLY, MARJU and BIGSTONE. CASINO PRINCE and son ALL TOO HARD carry Last Tycoon via a daughter.
Wootton Bassett hails from the Mr Prospector sire line. ARTIE SCHILLER, SING SING, BALDRIC II, ROAN ROCKET, TWENTY FOUR KARAT, DJEDDAH, SEATTLE SLEW, LOMOND, GREGORIAN, FERDINAND, JET PILOT, MUKADDAMAH and OMAN are other FRIZETTE family members to seek. More MR PROSPECTOR is also highly desirable. The dams of Wootton Bassett’s Gr1 winners Audarya and Wooded as well as G1 placed Wootton and Gr2 winner Chindit all offer a further line to Mr Prospector via their dams.
Wootton Bassett carries three lines to ALMAHMOUD family member, Northern Dancer. DANEHILL, HALO, MACHIEVLLIAN, AL SAMER, WAY OF LIGHT, EXIT TO NOWHERE, EL MOXIE, YOUTHFUL LEGS, DIATRIBE, ESPERERO, L’EMIGRANT, CANNONADE and ARCTIC TERN are other descendants to seek in mares.
DANZIG, sire of Chief’s Crown in Wootton Bassett’s pedigree, has been successfully duplicated in his matings. Gr1 winners Audarya and Wooded both carry this pattern. Apart from the prolific DANEHILL, Danzig can be sourced via mares carrying sons and grandsons of sires such as LANGFUHR, CAPE CROSS, WAR CHANT, SNAADEE, PINE BLUFF, AD VALOREM, ANABAA, BELONG TO ME, BIANCONI, CHIEF’S CROWN, DESERT SUN, LURE, GOLDEN SNAKE, HARD SPUN, INVINCIBLE SPIRIT (sire of I AM INVINCIBLE), MAROOF, MISTER C, KHELEYF, ORPEN, PERUGINO and son TESTA ROSSA.
Sex balancing Chief’s Crown by presenting mares carrying sons such as GRAND LODGE, AZZAAM, ERHAAB and BEAUTIFUL CROWN is a positive strategy.
Wootton Bassett’s great grandsire Gone West is a member of the ALOPE (2) family. ROUND TABLE, MARJU, DOUTELLE, KNOWN FACT, PULPIT, DEEP IMPACT, FOXLAW, ALCIDE, ATAN, ABOVE SUSPICION, MUKDDAAM, SONG OF TARA, PARTHIA and KNIGHT COMMANDER are other members to seek. Wootton Bassett’s Gr1 winning son Wooded’s dam creates a duplication of Gone West via ELUSIVE QUALITY. Gone West is also duplicated in the pedigree of Gr2 winner Chindit. Iffraaj has also demonstrated a liking for reinforcement of this family, with Gr1 winner Jon Snow carrying POMPEII COURT, whose sire Tell and grandsire Round Table are both from this line. His Gr1 winner Ribchester is out of a mare by family member Marju, who also carries Round Table.
With Round Table present in SIR TRISTRAM, daughters of his descendants such as LONHRO, ZABEEL, SAVABEEL, MARAUDING, OCTAGONAL, PIERRO, GROSVENOR, KAAPSTAD, TIERCE, MILITARY PLUME and IMPERIAL PRINCE are appealing. ZABEEL also sex balances Nureyev, so has additional appeal for Wootton Bassett.
Wootton Bassett’s third dam Gliding By is a half sister to sire KEY TO THE MINT. Mares carrying FANTASTIC LIGHT, GOLD AND IVORY, JAVA GOLD, GREEN LINE EXPRESS, DANGER’S HOUR, AL SAMER, PLUGGED NICKLE, SAUCE BOAT, PRINCE OF BIRDS, GRAND SLAM, TABASCO CAT and SPECTACULAR SPICE create linebreeding to Blue Hen mare, KEY BRIDGE by providing Key To The Mint.
