Another Impressive New Winner St Mark’s Basilica

Tara Madgwick - Wednesday September 10

A colt that holds entries for several upcoming Group races, Piazza San Marco became the 12th winner for Coolmore shuttler St Mark’s Basilica (FR) when bolting in at Galway overnight.

Trained by Aidan O’Brien and ridden by Ronan Whelan, Piazza San Marco improved sharply on his unplaced debut run in June, making the pace and kicking away to win the 1m maiden by more than three lengths.

Advertisement

"He is a smashing colt who had one run at Fairyhouse back in early June. He had been showing well above average ability at home, so we wanted to see if he was one for the Chesham (Stakes) at Royal Ascot but it just came too soon for him,” said stable representative Chris Armstrong.

"Time has done him the world of good and he has really strengthened, but what he does this year will be a bonus. You'll see the best of him next year over middle-distances and he is a fine, big, strong horse.

"He is by St Mark's Basilica. who we have a handful of, and we have some very, very smart ones. This horse will have no problem stepping up to stakes company hopefully this year."

A homebred for Coolmore, Piazza San Marco is the first foal of stakes-winning American Pharoah mare Willow, a daughter of Champion 3YO Filly Peeping Fawn.

He is another winner with stakes potential for St Mark’s Basilica, who is back in Australia at a fee of $38,500 and will have his first Australian bred 2YO’s racing this season.

St Mark's Basilica (FR), click for more info.

Advertisment
More Reading...
Impressive First Foals for Don Corleone
The first son of outstanding sire Extreme Choice to find his way to Queensland, Group I performer Don Corleone proved very popular with breeders last spring covering 133 mares at Eureka Stud and his first foals are exactly what you might hope for.
Kiwi Cup Hopeful Headed to Melbourne
Gr.1 Melbourne Cup (3200m) hopeful Wolfgang will fly to Melbourne on Wednesday to commence his path towards the A$10 million feature.
Sires With Winners - Monday September 8
Here is the full list of 18 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
New G1 Winner for Wootton Bassett
Back in Australia for another season at Coolmore, Wootton Bassett (GB) was expected to get a 3YO Group I winner in France on Sunday, but the horse that got the job done was not the one punters expected.
G1 Manikato Next for Alabama Lass
New Zealand sprinter Alabama Lass will press on for a tilt at the Gr.1 Manikato Stakes (1200m) at The Valley later this month following her runner-up effort in the Gr.1 Moir Stakes (1000m) at the Melbourne track last Saturday.
MRC Committee Returned Unopposed
The Melbourne Racing Club (MRC) has confirmed the results of the 2025 nominations for the MRC Executive Committee and the Mornington Advisory Group (MAG), which will be formally ratified at the Club’s Annual General Meeting on 25 September.
Cogburn Sire Not This Time on Fire at Keeneland September
If you have been considering sending a mare to Widden Stud’s exciting new shuttle sire Cogburn (USA) or have already booked one in you are going to be pretty interested in what is going on at the Keeneland September Yearling Sale this week where his sire Not This Time is in hot demand.
Vale, Ryan Smith
Victorian breeding farm Kulani Park are mourning the loss of partner and family member Ryan Smith.
Waller Army Leads Cox Plate First Acceptances
Defending champion Via Sistina is among 21 horses champion trainer Chris Waller still has in contention for the $6 million 2025 Ladbrokes Cox Plate, following the closure of first acceptances on Tuesday.
Mulberry Racing Purchase $550,000 Colt at Keeneland September
Australian based Mulberry Racing featured on the buyers list during the first session of the Keenland September Yearling Sale purchasing a colt by Quality Road for $550,000.