Gai Waterhouse | Gai Waterhouse News 63322 Stable Spotlight Wootton Bassett The Tattersalls Triple Play

Our recent trip to the Tattersalls Autumn Horses In Training Sale in Newmarket was a sensationally successful raid, further cementing Tulloch Lodge's formidable reputation at this international auction. The numbers speak for themselves: this sale has been the source of our Group 1 Underwood and Turnbull Stakes winner Sir Delius, Group 1 Metropolitan winner Just Fine, Group 1 Canterbury Stakes winner Royal Patronage and Sydney Cup hero Knights Order, demonstrating that we know how to secure value and top-tier talent.

This year, we have locked in three elite European prospects by the late, great, worldwide sensation WOOTTON BASSETT who are primed for immediate impact once they land Down Under. These three top-class prospects represent the perfect blend of immediate racing firepower and exceptional long-term opportunity, offering you the chance to fast-track your success by investing in proven talent.

Please find additional information on our Tattersalls HIT Sale purchases below.

LOT 531 - TRIBAL NATION (Wotton Bassett x Indian Blessing) - 3YO Gelding:

Purchase Price: 200,000 guineas (approx. A$440K)

Sales: 2025 Tattersalls Horses In Training Sale

Shares Available: Yes

Colours Available: Yes

 

Profile:

• A 3YO gelding by the late, great, worldwide sensation, WOOTTON BASSETT.
• Timeform rating 101 (to compare, Royal Patronage had a Timeform rating of 105 as a 4YO at the time of purchase)
• From a mare who was a Champion miler by Sepoy, followed by stamina influences Halling, Rainbow Quest & Mill Reef through his dam sires
• Raced in the Britannia Stakes over 1600 metres at Royal Ascot in June, beaten just 2 ¾ lengths in a 30-horse field. This is a very good form race we follow closely every year.
• Purchased from the same stable that gave us WHITE MARLIN (Joseph O'Brien), and the same ownership that we secured NEW ENDEAVOUR from (Teme Valley).
• He has won from 1400m-1600m, effective on all going, and 3rd last time out in rich Irish Handicap, the Sovereign Path
• Aspirational race targets = think the Epsom, the Doncaster, the Five Diamonds and the 40 x $1m+ races open to him from 1400m-2200m in the next 18 months!

Form:

Broke his maiden impressively at Galway over 7f. Has already mixed it with Group 1-class colts: ran in the G3 “Red Rocks” Stakes at Leopardstown behind Henri Matisse and Arizona Blaze, giving you a hard line to top-level form. Physically scopey; mentality rock- solid; the right profile to climb into Stakes company.

 

Winning rider Dylan Browne McMonagle: “He is a gorgeous horse... a nice horse who will only get better.”

 

Type:

Lovely, big, strong gelding with great size and scope. A ‘bombproof attitude’ and a fluid, free-flowing action. He is very much his father’s son.

• View his Racing Post profile here. 
• View his race replays here. 
• View his Tattersalls Sales page and pedigree here.

Lot 674 SWAGMAN (Wootton Bassett x Secretina) - 3YO Colt

Purchase Price: 260,000 guineas (approx. A$520K)

Sales: 2025 Tattersalls Horses In Training Sale

Shares Available: Yes

Colours Available: No

 

Profile

• A 3YO colt by the late, great, worldwide sensation, WOOTTON BASSETT.
• Timeform rating 110
• From a mare by Champion Broodmare Sire GALILEO, just like Saturday's Cox Plate quinella in VIA SISTINA & BUCKAROO
• A huge pedigree behind him, a family full of top-class international Group 1 winners
• Beaten only 4 lengths in the Group 2 Qatar Prix Niel at Longchamp the start before last behind Cualificar, Godolphin’s G1 placed & G2 winning colt, and just over two lengths behind Coolmore’s G1 and G2 winning son of Wootton Bassett, Tennessee Stud.
• Purchased at the same sale & from the same connections that raced SIR DELIUS & THE OFFER - both Group 1 winners for our stable
• He has won from 1400m-2000m up to Group 3 level, and effective on all going
• Aspirational race targets = think the Brisbane Winter Carnival (Cup and Q22), the Epsom, the Metropolitan, Caulfield and Melbourne Cups and the 45 x $1m+ races open to him from 1400m-3200m in the next 18 months!

Form:

Swagman’s early education was patient and deliberate. Trained by Aidan O’Brien at Ballydoyle, he began his career at the Curragh, finishing third to subsequent G1 winner Hotazhell. He then broke his maiden stylishly at Naas, in a race that has since produced multiple winners, before returning to finish second to Hotazhell in the G3 Tyros Stakes.

 

After a break Swagman returned in 2025 by winning the 1m2f G3 Classic Trial at Sandow. He stayed the trip powerfully, forging clear by three-quarters of a length from Windlord, a highly regarded colt now rated 107 and a Listed winner in his own right. In the race he also beat Damysus now a G3 winner and rated 109, he is being aimed for G1 races in Europe in 2026.

 

Ryan Moore after winning the Classic Trial: “He only had three runs last year but his last one was a very good one behind Hotazhell in the Tyros. He’s done well from two to three and when I got on him in the paddock, I thought he had got stronger. He’s straightforward and seems to stay well. I’m happy with what he did today — he’s a nice horse to look forward to.”

 

Aidan O’Brien after winning the Classic Trial: “We were delighted with him. He started growing on us last year and he’s turned-out a much bigger horse this season. There’s plenty to look forward to.”

Notable Performers (Wootton Bassett × Galileo Cross)

• Al Riffa 5yo– Group 1 National Stakes winner at two; Irish St. Ledger winner; Melbourne Cup favorite
• Puerto Pico 2yo- Group 1 ParisLongchamp Criterium International and Prix Jean- Luc Lagardere winner
• Hawk Mountain 2yo – Group 1 Futurity Trophy winner and Group 2 Bersford Stakes winner (Epsom Derby favourite )
• Maranoa Charlie – Group 1 ParisLongchamp Prix de la Foret winner

Type

This colt is just like his dad, and he looked more and more impressive every time we inspected him. He has a real presence and 'swagger' about him. 

• View his Racing Post profile here. 
• View his race replays here. 
• View his Tattersalls Sales page and pedigree here.

Lot 675 THRICE (Wootton Bassett x Mississippilanding) - 3YO Colt:

Purchase Price: 320,000 guineas (approx. A$640K)

Sales: 2025 Tattersalls Horses In Training Sale

Shares Available: Yes

Colours Available: No

 

Profile:

• A 3YO colt by the late, great, worldwide sensation, WOOTTON BASSETT.
• Timeform rating 108
• A lightly raced (7 starts) 3YO Colt by world leading sire WOOTTON BASSETT, just like our own ROYAL PATRONAGE
• He has come out of very strong form races, including his start before last in the Group 1 Irish Derby where he finished 4 ½ lengths behind Coolmore’s multiple Group 1 winning colt, Lambourn.
• From a mare by Champion broodmare sire GALILEO, just like Saturday's Cox Plate quinella in VIA SISTINA & BUCKAROO
• Bought in the same sale & from the same connections that raced SIR DELIUS & THE OFFER - both Group 1 winners for our stable
• He has won from 1400m-2000m up to Group 3 level, and effective on all going
• Aspirational race targets = think the Brisbane Winter Carnival (Cup and Q22), the Epsom, the Metropolitan, Caulfield and Melbourne Cups and the 45 x $1m+ races open to him from 1400m-3200m in the next 18 months!

 

Form:

Thrice’s first taste of victory came in a maiden race at Listowel in 2024. At the age of two, this win served as an important foundational moment. Facing relatively green competition, Thrice, ridden by Ryan Moore, was sent off as the heavy 1/4 favourite. Despite Moore's observation that the colt was "a bit babyish" and "got a little lost" on the bends, Thrice demonstrated his class by pulling away decisively in the straight to win by four lengths. This performance was a clear signal of his raw ability.

 

However, it was his victory in the Group 3 Gallinule Stakes at the Curragh on May 23, 2025, that truly tested and affirmed his potential. In this far more competitive race, Thrice finished second across the line after a dramatic 1 mile and 2 furlong contest. The race outcome was not settled on the track but in the stewards' room, where a lengthy inquiry followed a controversial finish. The stewards found that the horse that crossed the line first, Reyenzi, had caused interference to another horse, Emit, who in turn hampered Thrice. Despite the interference, Thrice, at 12-1 odds, had shown impressive tenacity to finish a close second. The stewards ultimately demoted Reyenzi, awarding the Group 3 victory to Thrice. This win demonstrated not just his raw speed but also his resilience and ability to handle pressure.

 

Race time: The 2025 Gallinule went in 2:04.46, one of the sharper clockings in recent renewals.

Notable Performers (Wootton Bassett × Galileo Cross):

• Al Riffa 5yo– Group 1 National Stakes winner at two; Irish St. Ledger winner; Melbourne Cup favorite
• Puerto Pico 2yo- Group 1 ParisLongchamp Criterium International and Prix Jean- Luc Lagardere winner
• Hawk Mountain 2yo – Group 1 Futurity Trophy winner and Group 2 Bersford Stakes winner (Epsom Derby favourite )
• Maranoa Charlie – Group 1 ParisLongchamp Prix de la Foret winner

 

Type

Although he’s not your typical deep coloured Wootton Bassett, he is very much in the mould of the stallion. An absolute standout on physical, and the market agreed!

 

• View his Racing Post profile here. 
• View his race replays here. 
• View his Tattersalls Sales page and pedigree here.

For more information, or to secure a share in any one of these exciting, young prospects, please get in touch with the Bloodstock team.

Happy Racing,  

Gai & Adrian