Coolmore Wins Bidding War for Wootton Bassett Colt

Coolmore and Amo Racing were among the major players who engaged in a seven-figure arm wrestle during day two of the Arqana August Yearling Sale Aug. 17. The heavyweight tussle duly concluded at a gasp-inducing €2,300,000 (US$2,692,420, €1=US$1.17). The yearling in the crosshairs was the Wootton Bassett (GB) colt out of High Celebrity, whose four winning siblings include the Aidan O'Brien-trained Highbury, who was beaten into second by stablemate Illinois in last year's Queen's Vase Stakes (G2). The colt was bred by Jean-Philippe Dubois and consigned by Haras des Capucines. The earlier stages of the bidding saw a three-way tussle between the rival camps of Amo and Coolmore and an online participant. It seemed as though the deal had been sealed at €1.8 million when, after a lengthy deliberation with bloodstock agent Alex Elliott, Amo principal Kia Joorabchian flashed two fingers in the auctioneer's direction from the back of the gangway. But the move up to €2M did not prove a case of V for victory, as Magnier countered almost immediately with another steady €100,000 increase. Joorabchian shook his head frustratedly when asked if he wanted to return in kind, but there was a late plot twist when a bidder in the restaurant joined in at the €2.2M mark. However, Magnier once again upped the ante by €100,000, and that proved to be the decisive play. The ticket was signed in Magnier's name along with Peter Brant's White Birch Farm brand. After being asked to hold their applause until the colt had left the ring, the assembled crowd gave the spectacle an appreciative round of applause. "He's a lovely horse and Wootton Bassett is doing very well," said the Coolmore man, who was flanked by his father, John Magnier, and the operation's Paul Shanahan on the top deck of the packed auditorium. "We had his brother in Ballydoyle and he was nearly a very good horse. All the guys really liked this fella and Wootton Bassett is flying at the moment. In fairness to Mr. Dubois and everyone involved, they've always been a big supporter of ours and are very good breeders. Michel Zerolo (Capucines director) was always praising this horse a lot, so let's hope he's good." Pressed on whether such a lofty price was in line with the team's expectations, Magnier said: "Look, he's a very nice horse by Wootton Bassett bred by one of the best breeders in France. It's a lot of money, I appreciate that, but he's a good horse and Wootton Bassett is breaking all the rules at the moment. The boss man is here and it was his call." The colt is from the third Coolmore-conceived crop of Wootton Bassett, meaning he was bred at a fee of €150,000. Godolphin Joins Wootton Bassett Bonanza That transaction capped a period of high demand for the progeny of Wootton Bassett. The seven-figure son of High Celebrity (FR) was preceded into the ring by a colt out of Hidden Breeze, a sibling to the black type winners Labeling, Lily's Angel and Zurigha. Godolphin's Anthony Stroud consigned the Coolmore crew to the role of underbidder at €900,000. "The stallion speaks for himself," said Stroud. "He's done very well and is a top-class sire who's very versatile. He's going to Charlie Appleby for Godolphin." Asked whether he felt this colt possessed stallion potential, Stroud replied: "Inshallah!" The youngster was bred and offered by Haras d'Etreham, the farm that launched Wootton Bassett's stallion career before his transfer to Coolmore ahead of the 2021 breeding season. "We'll keep using the horse, obviously, and it's great to have a good result like that with one of his sons," said Etreham director Nicolas de Chambure. "It's great he's going to a good home so we're delighted." Godolphin also entered the fray earlier in the session when going to €400,000 for a Wootton Bassett filly offered by Haras du Cadran. The youngster is the first foal out of Flighty Lady (IRE), a winning daughter of Sir Percy (GB) who ran third in the 2022 New York Stakes (G1T) for Chad Brown and Peter Brant and the 2019 Prix Marcel Boussac (G1) while under the care of Gavin Hernon. The filly was bred in partnership by Cadran, Ballylinch Stud, Ecurie Melanie, and Cheval Invest II. "She's a daughter of Wootton Bassett and her dam was really very talented," said Stroud, standing alongside David Loder in his usual position down the corridor to the right of the rostrum. "Add in the fact that she comes from a good farm and there's a lot in her favor. She was bought by Godolphin and will join Charlie Appleby." Appleby and Godolphin have enjoyed success with Wootton Bassett this season, with the unbeaten 2-year-old Rising Power having struck at Newmarket and Sandown.