It’s been impossible to miss the steady rise over the last couple of months by exciting young sire St Mark’s Basilica (Fr), who added a 15th winner to his tally overnight with Port of Spain saluting as a short priced favourite.
Third at his second start at The Curragh last month the Aidan O’Brien trained colt was a hot favourite in the 1m maiden at Punchestown and scored by half a length for Ronan Whelan.
"He had two lovely runs in hot Curragh maidens so I suppose on form he was the top pick. It was a bit messy from the start but in fairness Ronan got him in and got him going. He hit the line well,” said stable representative, Chris Armstrong.
“Ronan felt there's plenty of improvement in him and that trip is perfect for him at the moment. I suppose he’ll be in the mix for the Beresford or he could even step up for the Eyrefield. We’ll see how he comes through it but he’s definitely a stakes horse in the making.
“The sire has been very good to us and is absolutely flying now. We have a lovely bunch of them and you’d love to have more. They're going the right way.”
Purchased for €130,000 at the Goffs Orby Yearling Sale from the Islanmore Stud draft, Port of Spain is a half-brother to multiple Group II winner Free Wind and is the fourth winner from five to race from stakes-winning Duke of Marmalade mare Alive Alive Oh.
St Mark’s Basilica is back at Coolmore Australia this spring at a fee of $38,500 and will have his first Aussie bred runners here this season.
