The Mark of a real top class performer
AIDAN O’BRIEN lauded St Mark’s Basilica as “possibly the best we’ve had” as he revealed the five-time Group One victor had run his last race.
The son of Siyouni, a Dewhurst Stakes winner at two, gained top- level triumphs in the Poule d’Essai des Poulains (French 2,000 Guineas), Prix du Jockey Club (French Derby),
Coral- Eclipse Stakes and Irish Champion Stakes in an unbeaten campaign in 2021.
“He’s possibly the best we’ve had — an incredible horse,” said the master of Ballydoyle.
Coolmore’s David O’Loughlin added: “He’s the most exciting prospect we’ve retired from Ballydoyle since his late grandfather Galileo.
Brilliant
“European Champion Two-YearOld, the highest- rated three-year- old in the world, a 1,300,000 guineas yearling by a top sire in Siyouni, a half- brother to another brilliant horse in Magna Grecia, both out of Galileo’s group-winning two-year- old Cabaret. He has everything and he’ll get terrific support from his owners’ broodmare band too.”
St Mark’s Basilica won six of his nine career starts and won over € 2.4m in prize money.
Meanwhile, Lady Bowthorpe will take on male opposition for the Group One Queen Elizabeth II Stakes or QIPCO Champion Stakes at Ascot on October 16 after trainer William Jarvis ruled Goodwood’s Nassau Stakes heroine out of Saturday’s Kingdom Of Bahrain Sun Chariot Stakes at Newmarket.
Elsewhere, a second tilt at the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes at Ascot is the most likely target for Benbatl following his return to winning ways at Newmarket last week.