Australian breeder Bob Scarborough has a small band of mares based in Ireland and one of them, 14YO Galileo mare Cabaret, is the dam of top class Siyouni colt St Mark’s Basilica, who won the Group I Poule d’Essai des Poulains (1600m) at Longchamp overnight.
Cabaret had already achieved Group I success as a broodmare having delivered dual Group I winner Magna Grecia, heading back to Australia again for Coolmore this spring, and she has done it again with St Mark’s Basilica.
Last seen winning the Group I Dewhurst Stakes at Newmarket last October, the Aidan O’Brien trained colt was having his first start for 2021 and scored a powerful length and three-quarter win over Street Boss colt Colosseo with race favourite English 2,000 Guineas winner Poetic Flare finishing sixth.
“I'm delighted with St Mark’s Basilica,” said Aidan O’Brien.
“The plan last year was to go to the Lagardere, but that obviously didn't work out and that's why he ended up going to the Dewhurst.
“He quickens very well. We'll see what we'll do now - he has the option of Ascot for the St James' Palace Stakes or back to France for their Derby. The original plan with him was to go for the French Guineas and then go back there for the French Derby so we'll see.”
A 1.3million guinea purchase from the Tattersalls October Yearling Sale for MV Magnier on behalf of a Coolmore partnership, St Mark’s Basilica has the overall record of three wins and two placings from six starts.
He is the second Group I winner among four winners from Group III winner Cabaret, a half-sister by Galileo to Group III winner Drumfire and stakes-winner Ho Choi.
St Mark’s Basilica’s half-brother Magna Grecia was popular with Australian breeders last spring covering 122 mares.
A Group I winner at two and three, the son of Invincible Spirit stands at a fee of $19,250.
