French Derby Winner for Aussie Breeder

Tara Madgwick - Sunday June 6

The Group I Prix du Jockey Club (2100m) was run overnight at Chantilly in France with victory going to Coolmore’s remarkable Siyouni colt St Mark’s Basilica, who demonstrated a rare talent to stretch his speed from six furlongs to a Classic trip.

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 St Mark’s Basilica, who made it back to back Group I wins in France when adding the Derby to his previous win in the Group I Poule d’Essai des Poulains (1600m).

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.


 <

/p>

A winner over six furlongs at two that closed out his juvenile season with a win in the Group I Dewhurst Stakes (7f) at Newmarket last October, the Aidan O’Brien trained colt was been a revelation when stepped up in distance this year.


Facing a big field of 19 runners, St Mark’s Basilica proved much the best, cruising clear to win by a length and three-quarters taking his overall record to four wins and two placings from seven starts.

“I came (to win) a little bit early but St Mark’s Basilica  was the best horse in the race, the only question was the distance. But that was no problem,” said winning rider, Ioritz Mendizabal.

Somewhat surprisingly, St Mark’s Basilica gave Aidan O’Brien his first win in the French Derby with his previous best result a second with Highland Reel.

"You need a very good horse to win it and it's a very difficult race to win," said O'Brien.

"His qualities are that he has a lot of speed and he can quicken very well. He's a very relaxed horse, he travels well and he's kind in his races. We thought all those were qualities he would need to win the Jockey Club."

St Mark's Basilica was a 1.3million guinea Tattersalls October Yearling.

A 1.3million guinea purchase from the Tattersalls October Yearling Sale for MV Magnier on behalf of a Coolmore partnership, St Mark’s Basilica 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.

His sire Siyouni is available to Australian breeders for Southern Hemisphere covers at Haras de Bonneval at a fee of 100,000 euros, click to read.

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.

Magna Grecia - click for more information.



 

Advertisment
More Reading...
Trans Tasman Options for La Crique
Trainers Simon and Katrina Alexander are contemplating options on both sides of the Tasman with their multiple Group One winner La Crique following her pleasing trial at Taupo on Monday.
G1 Plans for Wexford Stable Mares
Lance O’Sullivan and Andrew Scott have their sights set on the opening Group One of the season with a pair of talented mares, both of which appeared at the Taupo trials on Monday.
MM Yearling Sales 2026 Open for Entry
The 2026 Magic Millions Yearling Sales - from the Gold Coast in January to Perth and Tasmania in February and the Gold Coast and Adelaide in March - are ready to deliver more groundbreaking results.
G1 Guineas Goal for Unbeaten Snitzel Filly
A quartet of well-performed fillies from Stephen Marsh’s stable took their first steps toward upcoming age group features when they stepped out at the Taupo trials on Monday.
Victorian Breeders Celebrate Annual Awards Night
The 2025 Victorian Breeding Awards has once again showcased the outstanding achievements within Victoria’s thoroughbred breeding and racing industry.
Per Incanto Mare Wins $100,000 Polytrack Championship
Synthetic flyer Cosentino silenced any doubt about running out the seven furlongs with a blistering performance to claim Sunday’s $100,000 Japac Homes Polytrack Championship (1400m) at Awapuni.
Te Akau Stars Warm Up at Taupo Trials
Perennial bridesmaid Qali Al Farrasha headlined a strong contingent of trialists out of Mark Walker and Sam Bergerson’s stable at Taupo on Monday.
One to Watch – Ballarat
Last seen contesting the Group I MRC Blue Diamond Stakes, newly gelded three year-old Olatunde bolted in at Ballarat on Monday continuing the fast start to the new season for his sire Farnan.
Sires With Winners - Monday August 4
Here is the full list of 26 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Sires With Winners - Sunday August 3
Here is the full list of 57 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.