St Mark’s Basilica Downs Addeybb

Tara Madgwick - Saturday July 3

A small but select field of four lined up in the Group I Coral-Eclipse Stakes (1m2f) at Sandown in the UK overnight with victory going to outstanding three year-old colt St Mark’s Basilica, who proved superior to globe-trotting multiple Group I winner Addeybb.

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 is undefeated this year winning both French classics before this latest success.

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.

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.

For this assignment, St Mark’s Basilica stalked the leaders for Ryan Moore, with Addeybb under Tom Marquand setting the pace at his first outing since winning the Group I ATC Queen Elizabeth Stakes in Sydney back in April.

St Mark’s Basilica powered to the line to win by more than three lengths over Addeybb, who will take a lot of benefit from the run.



“Ryan [Moore] was blown away by Sta Mark’s Basilica out there. He couldn't believe when he asked him how well he quickened,” said Aidan O’Brien.

“He is a relaxed traveller so he doesn't use any energy so when he comes on he comes on slowly and when they do go for him he really turns it on. I think it is a mark of a good horse when they can quicken like that.

“He puts races to bed very quickly. He is progressing all the time. I think the Juddmonte or the Irish Champion will be next but he could do both as there is enough time between them.” 



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 imposing record of five wins and two placings from eight 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.

Magna Grecia is a half-brother to St Mark's Basilica.

A Group I winner at two and three, the son of Invincible Spirit stands at a fee of $19,250.





 

Advertisment
More Reading...
G1 Aussie Season – Best of the Best
The $700,000 Group I Tatts Tiara (1400m) at Eagle Farm last Saturday was the last of 76 Australian Group I races run this season that produced 57 individual Group I winners, so let’s take a look at the best of the best.
Sires With Winners - Saturday June 28
Here is the full list of 109 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
NZ Racing Woman of the Year
Caitlin O’Sullivan Doyle has been immersed in racing from a young age and she was recognised for her individual contribution to the industry at Entain’s Industry Excellence Awards on Sunday.
Sires With Winners - Sunday June 29
Here is the full list of 53 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Wootton Bassett Winning Whirl
It was a red letter day for Wootton Bassett (GB) at The Curragh overnight with a treble of winners highlighted by top class filly Whirl, who captured the Group I Pretty Polly Stakes (1m2f), a race won by the mighty Via Sistina in 2023.
Matahga Makes it a Memorable Weekend for Lawson
Waikato horseman Simon Lawson has an eye for a bargain, and the product of one of his purchases turned into his first stakes winner over the weekend.
Vinery Stud Announce Adam White as Interim Manager
From the 1st of July, Vinery Stud is pleased to announce the appointment of Adam White as Interim General Manager, following the resignation of Peter Orton. A dedicated and long-standing member of the Vinery team, Adam brings a wealth of experience and an in-depth understanding of both the business and the industry to this pivotal role.
Big Pedigrees Don’t Always Spell Black Type
The breeding of thoroughbreds is a very inexact science which is why we saw siblings to a pair of Group I winners fighting out the finish of a very pedestrian 1100m maiden at Ballarat on Sunday.
Red Right Out Wins MM Queensland Qualifier
The 2026 Pacific Fair Magic Millions Polo & Showjumping will feature the third annual Queensland Off-The-Track Cup (QOTT) final on Sunday, 11 January 2026 at Doug Jennings Park on the Gold Coast. 
Sires With Winners - Friday June 27
Here is the full list of 48 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.