First Foals By St Mark’s Basilica Debut At Goffs

The first foals by world champion three-year-old St Mark’s Basilica make their sales debut at the Goffs November Sale, with three colts and one filly set to grace the ring.

The quality first book of mares sent to St Mark’s Basilica is evident from his very first offering on Tuesday. The Irish National Stud offers a March-born colt out of the black-type Montjeu mare Bellajeu (Lot 365), while the next foal is out of Group 3 heroine Ocean Fantasy. The bay filly is consigned by the Castlebridge Consignment as part of the Gestut Hony Hof dispersal.

Grenane House Stud offer another well-related colt from the first crop of St Mark’s Basilica as Lot 617 on Wednesday. The half-brother to Listed winner I’m A Gambler is out of Stakes winning mare from the family of Listen, Henrythenavigator and Magician. Completing the quartet is Norelands’ colt out of the 91-rated mare Layaleena, who shares his page with Lope De Vega.

Norelands consigned St Mark’s Basilica himself as a yearling, when knocked down to MV Magnier for 1.3 million guineas. The Siyouni half-brother to Magna Grecia rewarded connections with five consecutive Group 1 victories in the Dewhurst Stakes, French 2,000 Guineas, Prix du Jockey Club, Coral Eclipse and Irish Champion Stakes. A stellar career saw Aidan O’Brien’s charge crowned European champion two-year-old, world champion three-year-old and Cartier Horse Of The Year.