‘A bit of a freak’: Wootton Bassett’s incredible run continues with Camille Pissaro’s 2025 French Derby victory

He’ll stand for a record $385,000 in the Australian breeding season this spring, but there’ll be no shortage of suitors following yet another classic victory for sire sensation Wootton Bassett.

Camille Pissaro, ridden by Ryan Moore, wins the French Derby at Chantilly overnight. Picture: Hugo Mathy / AFP

Coolmore Australia supremo Tom Magnier has described Wootton Bassett as a “freak” after the sire sensation’s son Camille Pissaro won the French Derby at Chantilly on Sunday.

Camille Pissaro’s classic triumph gave Wootton Bassett the prestigious French Group 1 three-year-old double after another of his sons, Henri Matisse, won the 2000 Guineas at Longchamp last month.

“Wootton Bassett is a bit of a freak,’’ Magnier said

“It’s exciting to have him coming back to our farm in the Hunter Valley for the spring breeding season.’’

Wootton Bassett, who also sired the minor placegetter Detain in the French Derby, is returning to Coolmore this spring and will stand at an Australian record service fee of $385,000.

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Brilliant colt Camille Pissarro provided trainer Aidan O’Brien, jockey Ryan Moore and the three-year-old’s sire, Wootton Bassett, with their second French Derby.

O’Brien also won the French classic with St Mark’s Basilica in 2021 and Moore rode The Great Gatsby to his 2014 Derby success.

Wootton Bassett is also the sire of Almanzor, winner of the 2016 French Derby.

O’Brien told French media that Moore gave Camille Pissarro “an incredible ride.’’

It’s Aidan O’Brien’s Prix Jockey Club! 🇫🇷

Ryan Moore brings home CAMILLE PISSARO in the big on @fgchantilly 👏

pic.twitter.com/BIc8nAwylr

— World Horse Racing (@WHR) June 1, 2025

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“Ryan was prepared to wait today and had to ride him to try to get the trip, which was an unknown,’’ O’Brien said.

“Obviously Ryan had a lovely draw and different to the Guineas where he was wide all the way. Ryan gave him a masterclass.

“Camille Pissaro’s very exciting and he’s a Group 1 winner at two and now he’s a French Derby winner and we all know how important they are.

“He’s a perfectly proportioned son of Wootton Bassett and although a mile and a quarter is obviously fine, I think going back to a mile would be no problem for him.’’

Originally published as ‘A bit of a freak’: Wootton Bassett’s incredible run continues with Camille Pissaro’s 2025 French Derby victory