Wootton Bassett, one of the world’s hottest stallions, has died suddenly due to illness.

Coolmore Australia confirmed Wootton Bassett, 17, had passed away on Tuesday having suffered from choke before developing acute pneumonia.

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His condition deteriorated rapidly and he was unable to be saved by Coolmore’s team of vets.

“We got the best veterinary care we could to the horse, we did everything possible but we couldn’t save him,” Coolmore Australia supremo Tom Magnier said.

“He got sick a couple of days ago and went downhill very quickly. It only happened about an hour ago so it’s very raw.

“To lose a horse like him is devastating and I feel for our staff who have always cared for this horse, day in and day out. They are shattered.”

Wootton Bassett was standing for $385,000 at Coolmore for the current season.

Wootton Bassett 2008 – 2025
 
Wootton Bassett, one of the world’s great sires has sadly passed away today at Coolmore Australia having suffered from choke and subsequently developing an acute pneumonia which deteriorated rapidly. Despite round-the-clock care from a dedicated team… pic.twitter.com/aEL8r2MLDS

— Coolmore Australia (@CoolmoreAus) September 23, 2025

One of Europe’s best two-year-olds during his short but successful career, he started his career at stud with Hara d’Etreham in France in 2012 before being sold to Coolmore in 2020.

He has visited Australia as a shuttle stallion for Coolmore in recent times and produced 2025 Golden Slipper runner-up Wodeton in his first Australian crop.

The Chris Waller-trained colt will look to deliver Coolmore an emotion charged victory in the Group 1 $1 million Golden Rose (1400m) this weekend.

Ciaron Maher’s State Visit, another Coolmore-owned son of Wootton Bassett, will also contest the Golden Rose.

Royal Patronage delivered Wootton Bassett with a maiden Group 1 victory on Australian shores when he claimed the Canterbury Stakes (1300m) at Randwick in March.