$400,000 Wootton Bassett Colt Secured by Japanese Buyer

Wootton Bassett was again popular at the Inglis Classic Yearling Sale on Monday with a colt from Monegal selling for $400,000 to Koji Oka, the owner of Obamburumai, the Japanese superstar which won the 2023 $10m Golden Eagle at Rosehill.

Consigned by Ridgmont, the colt is the first foal of quality Lope de Vega mare Monegal, who won 10 races headed by the Group III ATC Epona Stakes and comes from the family of Morshdi, winner of both the Group I German Derby and Italian Derby.

Speaking through interpreter Daiki Chujo, who trains in Ballina, Oka said: “I liked his walk and his movement, it was very dynamic. I also love Wootton Bassett and there are a lot of Wootton Bassetts now coming into Japan.

“This colt is a first foal out of the mare but for a first foal he has a lot of quality, that’s why I like him so much.

“I love Australian racing and I love Australian horses. This is my first time at Classic but I was at Easter last year and loved it so much. At this Classic Sale there are a lot of nice horses for value, it’s very good. Even compared to Japan I can find a really nice horse here.

“I was underbidder yesterday on a Wootton Bassett colt so I really wanted this colt today. I have a horse in Australia with Daiki and some yearlings at Widden which will be racing in Australia as well.’’

Ridgmont’s Mitch Cunningham was far from surprised by the outcome, given the colt’s popularity in the lead-up.

“He’s been a great model from birth, the stallion’s done remarkably well in the Northern Hemisphere and is looking to do the same thing here so we came here confident and he sold accordingly,’’ Cunningham said.

“We knew he was popular. Most of the people we thought were on him, were on him when he got into the ring which was good to see. The competition was there and we got the result which we’re delighted about.’’