Wootton Bassett’s Swagman Strikes for Ballydoyle in the Sandown Classic Trial

[Wandering Eyes]

Ballydoyle's standard had been hoisted just once in Sandown's G3 bet365 Classic Trial during the Aidan O'Brien era and last term's G3 Tyros Stakes runner-up Swagman (Ger) (Wootton Bassett {GB}) doubled that tally with a determined effort in this year's renewal of the 10-furlong feature.

Let go at generous odds of 9-2, the €170,000 BBAG September graduate was the only one of five contenders without a ticket to Epsom's Blue Riband and, coming back off a 274-day sabbatical, stalked the leading duo in third for the most part. Easing outside for a clear passage with three furlongs remaining, he was shaken up to launch his main effort passing the quarter-mile marker and stayed on in resolute fashion up the hill to assert superiority by 3/4-of-a-length from the rallying pacesetter Windlord (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}). Wathnan Racing's hitherto undefeated Damysus (GB) (Frankel {GB}) threatened throughout the final quarter-mile and finished a half-length adrift in third.

“He only had three runs last year, but his last one was a very good one behind Hotazhell in the Tyros,” said Ryan Moore. The April-foaled bay had also trailed Hotazhell on debut last June. “He has done well from two to three and when I got on him in the paddock I thought he had got stronger. They went a good even pace and he was a little bit green in places. Coming off the bend, he was travelling very nicely at the two [pole] and showed a very good attitude in the last quarter-mile. He seems to stay well, it doesn't seem to matter how you ride him and he's a straightforward horse. I'm happy with what he did today and he is a nice one to look forward to.”

Despite the lack of a Derby nomination, Swagman retains entries for both G1 Prix du Jockey Club and G1 Grand Prix de Paris. He also holds tickets for the G1 Irish 2000 Guineas and G1 Irish Derby. However, the June 1 Chantilly Classic remains on the radar, according to O'Brien. “He's run well there and the [G1] French Derby is a definite possible,” the trainer said. “At this stage, we are just trying to get them all started and see where they all fit in. It's nice to have options. We're delighted with him and he's a horse that has done well since last year. We always thought a mile-and-a-quarter would suit him well and we thought he would come forward plenty from the run too. He started growing on us last year and that was why he hadn't run since July. He just kept on growing and he's turned out a much bigger horse this year.”

Pedigree Notes
Swagman, a half-brother to the stakes-placed Santorini (Ger) (Siyouni {Fr}), is the latest of four live foals and one of two scorers produced by an unraced half-sister to G1 Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud heroine Plumania (GB) (Anabaa), G2 Prix de Royallieu victrix Balladeuse (Fr) (Singspiel {Ire}) and Listed Prix de Liancourt third Dancequest (Ire) (Dansili {GB}). Plumania's descendants include stakes-winning G1 Prix Saint-Alary third Solsticia (Ire) (Le Havre {Ire}). Balladeuse's quartet of stakes performers features G1 Prix Vermeille heroine Left Hand (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}) and dual Group 1-placed G2 Prix de Pomone and G3 Prix de Royaumont victrix Aventure (Ire) (Sea The Stars {Ire}). Dancequest is the dam of G1 Prix Royal-Oak hero Double Major (Ire) (Daiwa Major {Jpn}) and G3 Prix de Guiche victor Flop Shot (Ire) (New Approach {Ire}).

 

Sandown Classic Trial @Sandownpark
Sandown Park – Groupe 3 – 3-year-old – 2001m – 5 Starters – 83 615 £

Swagman (m) (Ger) Ryan-L Moore
Windlord
Damysus

(Wootton Bassett (Gb) @coolmorestud – Secretina (Gb) par Galileo (Ire))… pic.twitter.com/XNfRudI2oT

— French and International Horse Racing (@Vincenzo0612) April 25, 2025

Friday, Sandown, Britain
BET365 CLASSIC TRIAL-G3, £85,000, Sandown, 4-25, 3yo, 9f 209yT, 2:10.93, gd.
1–SWAGMAN (GER), 129, c, 3, by Wootton Bassett (GB)
1st Dam: Secretina (GB), by Galileo (Ire)
2nd Dam: Featherquest (GB), by Rainbow Quest
3rd Dam: Featherhill (Fr), by Lyphard
1ST BLACK-TYPE WIN; 1ST GROUP WIN. (€170,000 Ylg '23 BBAGS). O-Michael Tabor, Derrick Smith & Mrs John Magnier; B-Gestut Brummerhof (GER); T-Aidan O'Brien; J-Ryan Moore. £48,204. Lifetime Record: GSP-Ire, 4-2-1-1, $88,053. *1/2 to Santorini (Ger) (Siyouni {Fr}), SP-Ger. Werk Nick Rating: A+++ *Triple Plus*. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree, or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.
2–Windlord (GB), 129, c, 3, Dubawi (Ire)–Goldika (Ire), by Intello (Ger). O-Juddmonte; B-Juddmonte Farms Ltd (GB); T-Andrew Balding. £18,275.
3–Damysus (GB), 129, c, 3, Frankel (GB)–Legerete, by Rahy. 1ST BLACK TYPE; 1ST GROUP BLACK TYPE. (460,000gns Ylg '23 TATOCT). O-Wathnan Racing; B-Newsells Park Stud & Merry Fox Stud (GB); T-John & Thady Gosden. £9,146.
Margins: 3/4, HF, 2 1/4. Odds: 4.50, 1.25, 6.50.
Also Ran: Sir Dinadan (Ire), I Am I Said (GB).

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