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Wootton Bassett Colt wins G2 Champagne

Tara Madgwick - Sunday September 14

Wootton Bassett colt Puerto Rico picked a nice race in which to break his maiden landing the Group II Champagne Stakes (7f) at Doncaster overnight.

Trained by Aidan O’Brien and ridden by Sean Levey, he improved off a string of minor placings and a last start fourth in the Group I Phoenix Stakes.

Puerto Rico was strong to the line holding off all challengers to win by a length, his first win in six starts.

“Puerto Rico’s a nice horse and showed a great attitude, Sean was very happy with him. He's not ground dependent and he's been knocking on the door,” said Kevin Buckley, Coolmore representative.

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“He's by the sire of the moment Wootton Bassett out of a Galileo mare and he's got a very good pedigree. I haven't had a chance to speak to Aidan but he's entered up in all the right places so he's a horse to look forward to.”

Puerto Rico is 71st stakes-winner for Wootton Bassett and is the first winner for Group II placed Galileo mare April Showers, a full sister to Champion 2YO and 3YO Filly Misty for Me, the dam of Group I winners Roly Poly and US Navy Flag.

Puerto Rico is the seventh 2YO SW for Wootton Bassett in the Northern Hemisphere this year among 27 winners.

Wootton Bassett (GB) is back at Coolmore Australia this spring.

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