Choice mares for St Mark’s Basilica

Given his outstanding credentials it is no surprise that St Mark’s Basilica is attracting a very fine first book of mares.

Amongst the Group 1 winners already booked to visit the son of Siyouni are The Queen’s European Champion Stayer Estimate, the Niarchos Family’s Matron Stakes winner Fiesolana, Jean Louis Bouchard’s Prix Marcel Boussac winner Tiger Tanaka, Merry Fox Stud’s Moyglare and Albany Stakes winner Cursory Glance along with the Wertheimer Brothers’ Champion 2-Year-Old Safari Queen, herself the dam of Group 1 Prix St Alary winner Queen’s Jewel.

Another top class racemare and producer on the list is Ashbrittle Stud’s Oaks winner Talent, dam of Group 2 winner and Group 1 Prix Jean Romanet runner-up Ambition.

Ecurie des Monceaux have eight mares booked including Prudenzia, dam of Group 1 winners Chicquita and Magic Wand.

Another visiting is Florent Couturier’s Gamely Girl, dam of Grade 1 Summer Stakes winner Decorated Invader and second dam of Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf winner Fire At Will.

Other Group or Grade 1 producers include Charlie Nelson’s Path of Peace, dam of Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint winner Belvoir Bay, Recambe dam of the brilliant Laurens, Lady Gorgeous dam of European Champion 2-Year-Old Filly Pretty Gorgeous, Kirsten Rausing’s Here To Eternity, dam of Hong Kong Group 1 winners Time Warp and Glorious Forever, China Horse Club’s Beatrix Potter, dam of Champion Sprinter Harry Angel and Mill Reef Stakes winner Pierre Lapin, Oceanic Bloodstock’s Motivation, dam of Joe Hirsch Turf Classic winner Rock Emperor.

Susan Hearn of Mascells Stud is sending him her blue hen mare Reckoning, dam of Subjectivist and Sir Ron Priestley, while Aliette Forien is sending Shamiyra, dam of HH Aga Khan’s Group 1 Grand Prix de Paris winner Shakeel whose Churchill half-sister sold for €350,000 to White Birch Farm in October.