By Sean Cronin
Yeguada Centurion's homebred Wootton Centurion (Wootton Bassett), who earned a TDN Rising Star, presented by Hagyard, with a six-length romp at Chantilly in September, returned to the scene of that debut triumph to record a narrow victory and retain his perfect record in Thursday's Prix de la Croix de Pontarme.
Sent into an immediate lead once again, the 29-10 second choice was headed by 1-2 favourite Lord Clover (Siyouni) soon after passing the furlong marker and rallied gamely under continued rousting to deny that rival by a head in the dying strides.
Wootton Centurion is the third of four foals and one of two scorers thrown by stakes-winning GIII Soaring Softly Stakes runner-up Elevenses (More Than Ready), herself a half-sister to GII Eclipse Stakes victor Treason (Constitution) out of the stakes-winning Cougarstown (Speightstown). The March-foaled bay's third dam is the dual stakes winner Fair Apache (Bertrando), who hails from the family of Grade I-placed sire Diablo (Devil's Bag). The winner is kin to the 2-year-old filly Clementina Cen (Churchill).
Not to be denied! 👀
The well-backed Lord Clover came there swinging but Wootton Centurion shows a really good attitude to maintain his unbeaten record at Chantilly… 🇫🇷 pic.twitter.com/dMcCwy8qDe
— At The Races (@AtTheRaces) April 2, 2026
2nd-Saint-Cloud, €25,600, Cond, 4-2, 3yo, c/g, 8fT, 1:43.01, hy.
WOOTTON CENTURION (IRE) (c, 3, by Wootton Bassett {GB}–Elevenses {SW & GSP-US, $146,365}, by More Than Ready) Lifetime Record: 2-2-0-0, €35,650.
O/B-Yeguada Centurion SLU; T-Victoria Head.
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