Straight Up obliges for Wootton Bassett at Listowel

Straight Up was a poignant winner of the opening race on day three of the Harvest Festival at Listowel, with the son of Wootton Bassett making an impressive debut for Aidan O’Brien.

Just hours after Coolmore announced the death of the superstar stallion, his previously unraced son was the 9-4 favourite for the WTW Willis Irish EBF Maiden in the hands of Wayne Lordan.

After following stablemate King Of Sparta to the home turn, Straight Up extended three lengths clear in the final furlong and looks more than ready for a step up in class.

Stable representative Chris Armstrong said: “He is a lovely horse and has plenty of size and scope. To do that without a prior run was a very good performance and Wayne was delighted with him.

“He jumped a bit slow but was able to recover and his last furlong was his best. Whatever he does at two will be a bonus and could be a lovely middle-distance horse for next year.

“We’ll try to get one more run into him this year and then put him away.”

On the death of Wootton Bassett, he added: “The news was out early on social media this morning and obviously he is a massive loss. When you look at the few years he has been at Coolmore, what he achieved was astronomical and we were fortunate to have so many nice ones by him.

“His progeny have engines, minds and have everything. There are obviously more crops to come, but his death is a massive blow to the whole team.

“To lose your star is a big one and he was the ultimate. We have to look forward now so hopefully there are a few more stars to replace him at stud.”