Sword Of Wessex

Superbly bred three-year-old Wootton Bassett gelding Sword Of Wessex is an exciting new addition to the Deva Racing string. He is based at James Owen’s powerful yard in Newmarket and looks like a really exciting prospect. 

Bred and previously part-owned by Coolmore associate Westerberg, Sword Of Wessex was originally sourced for 350,000gns at Book 2 of the Tattersalls October Yearling Sale and went into training with Charlie Fellowes.

Following an encouraging debut effort at Newbury in the August of his two-year-old season, he then marked himself out as a horse of high potential when runner-up in an informative maiden over 1m at Sandown on his second and final start as a juvenile. Arguably one of the strongest maidens to be run that season, Sword Of Wessex finished in front of seven subsequent winners, including the dual Listed winner Almeric.

Returning in April of this year, Sword Of Wessex finished third in a 1m2f novice at Kempton, another race that has produced a multitude of future winners and which was won by the subsequently Listed-placed Ernst Blofeld. 

Despite such a promising start to his career, Sword Of Wessex’s form dipped in subsequent outings, during which period he was gelded. He did stage a mini-revival when second in a 1m4f Ffos Las novice in August, but ultimately his season has turned into a disappointment. The upshot is that his handicap mark has eased from an opening perch of 84 to just 76 and, following his purchase at the Tattersalls Autumn Horses In Training Sale, he has joined a trainer that is a dab hand at reviving the fortunes of horses sourced from other yards.

Sword Of Wessex has already demonstrated a good deal of ability, and he remains lightly-raced after just eight starts, so there is still an awful lot to look forward to. Furthermore, his pedigree is of the highest class, as he is out of the Galileo mare Beluga, a three-parts-sister to the Gr.1 Derby winner and sire Pour Moi, with the Gr.1 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf winner Pizza Bianca being another close relative.

This promising individual looks to have been extremely well-bought and has joined a trainer who can take his career to new heights. Please get in touch for more details.