THE well-named Group 1 Oaks winner Talent is dam of Group 2 winner and Group 1 Prix Jean Romanet runner-up Ambition, and the new owners of the mare’s St Mark’s Basilica yearling, purchased as a foal for 575,000gns, have a potential star. Bought by Jill Lamb Bloodstock on behalf of Newsells Park Stud, the agent said of her purchase: “She is beautiful, absolutely gorgeous. I fell in love with her as soon as I saw her.”
Ambition was just one star in a quality first book of mares that most stallions could only dream of having at stud. St Mark’s Basilica was Europe’s champion juvenile, topped the rankings again in an undefeated classic season that saw him crowned Cartier Horse of the Year, represents one of the hottest stallions in Europe, and is a half-brother to a classic star who has made a promising start at stud.
A son of Siyouni (Pivotal), St Mark’s Basilica was held in such early high regard that he was fifth, as favourite, in the Group 1 Phoenix Stakes before even winning his maiden. That first success came a few weeks later, beating Loch Lein over six furlongs at the Curragh, and then he finished third to Thunder Moon in the Group 1 National Stakes over seven furlongs.
His defeat of Wembley in the Group 1 Dewhurst Stakes on his fifth and final outing of 2020 guaranteed the two-year-old championship title. It also provided him with the first leg of a remarkable Group 1 five-timer.
St Mark’s Basilica easily won the Group 1 Poule d’Essai des Poulains-French 2000 Guineas at ParisLongchamp and followed that with an almost two-length defeat of the subsequent Champion Stakes victor Sealiway in the Prix du Jockey Club-French Derby. Leading sires Shamardal and Lope De Vega are two who previously achieved that classic double.
Just a month later, St Mark’s Basilica took on older horses for the first time and soared to the top of a strong three-year-old division with an impressive Group 1 Eclipse Stakes performance, beating Addeybb and Mishriff by three and a half lengths and a neck.
He then added the Irish Champion Stakes at Leopardstown, beating the multiple Group 1-stars Tarnawa and Poetic Flare by three-quarters of a length and a nose in a memorable finish.
In addition to being a son of Pivotal’s heir apparent, and so by the sire of his Group 1 Prix du Jockey Club-French Derby and Arc-winning fellow Coolmore teammate Sottsass, and the newly-retired Paddington, St Mark’s Basilica is out of a Group 3 Silver Flash Stakes winner in Cabaret (Galileo). The half-sister to Group 3 Solario Stakes scorer Drumfire (Danehill Dancer) is also responsible for Magna Grecia (Invincible Spirit).
That 2000 Guineas and juvenile Group 1-winner is also a Coolmore stallion, and his first crop of runners last year was headed by the five-furlong French listed winner Myconian.
Former leading Irish juvenile filly Ugo Fire (Bluebird), who won the Group 3 C L Weld Park Stakes and was runner-up in the Group 1 Moyglare Stud Stakes, appears under the third generation of the pedigree, whereas those of note under the fourth include the Group 1 Prix Vermeille heroine Pearly Shells (Efisio).
Race record
ST MARK’S BASILICA (FR), Bay 2018. Champion 2yr old colt in Europe in 2020. Won six races, £2,196,080, from 6 furlongs to 1 mile 2½ furlongs, at 2 and 3 including, Dewhurst Stakes, Newmarket, Gr.1, Eclipse Stakes, Sandown Park, Gr.1, Irish Champion Stakes, Leopardstown, Gr.1, Poule d’Essai des Poulains, ParisLongchamp, Gr.1, Prix du Jockey Club, Chantilly, Gr.1, also placed third in National Stakes, Curragh, Gr.1.
At stud
Retires to stud in 2022. First crop are yearlings.
Information
Stands at: Coolmore Stud, Fethard, Clonmel, Co. Tipperary, E91 XK26, Ireland
Contact: Christy Grassick, Maurice Moloney, Gerry Aherne, Jason Walsh, Mark Byrne, Neil Magee and Tom Harris
Telephone: +353 52 6131298
Email: sales@coolmore.ie
Web: www.coolmore.com
Fee: €50,000