Champion Stallion Wootton Bassett Dies at 17 After Pneumonia Complications
Wootton Bassett, one of Europe’s most influential stallions and a sire of multiple racing champions, has died at the age of 17.
The prized thoroughbred, whose stud fee had soared to a record-breaking 385,000 Australian dollars (£187,000), passed away on Tuesday after suffering from pneumonia, according to his owners at Coolmore.
Wootton Bassett leaves behind a remarkable legacy. His offspring have dominated European racing in recent years, with standout victories this season alone from Whirl, a multiple Group One-winning filly, Al Riffa, the Irish St Leger champion, and Camille Pissarro, winner of the prestigious French Derby.
Trained by Richard Fahey, Wootton Bassett was a star on the track before his breeding career. He went unbeaten as a two-year-old, winning all five of his races, before retiring the following year after a string of defeats.
As a sire, his impact was extraordinary. Among his most successful progeny are Almanzor, winner of the 2016 French Derby and Irish Champion Stakes, and King Of Steel, runner-up in the 2023 Derby and later winner of the Champion Stakes at Ascot in Frankie Dettori’s farewell ride in Britain.
Coolmore Australia confirmed that the stallion’s death followed severe complications from “choke,” an obstruction of the oesophagus, which quickly developed into acute pneumonia.
“Wootton Bassett, one of the world’s great sires, has sadly passed away today at Coolmore Australia, having suffered from choke and subsequently developing acute pneumonia which deteriorated rapidly,” the stud said in a statement.
“Despite round-the-clock care from a dedicated veterinary team, overseen by Dr Nathan Slovis from Hagyard Equine Medical Institute in Kentucky, he could not be saved.”
Wootton Bassett’s passing marks the loss of a stallion who not only shaped European racing but also left an enduring influence on global bloodlines.