First Runner A Winner For Magna Grecia

Magna Grecia’s first crop made a perfect start on Thursday, when his first runner Myconian (2c Magna Grecia - Sirici, by Choisir) justified favouritism in the Prix du Debut at Saint-Cloud.

The Amy Murphy-trained colt was one of 13 to line up for the four and a half furlong contest and broke smartly under Michael Barzalona. Racing prominently throughout, he was ridden from two furlongs out and dug deep when The Fixer (No Nay Never) loomed alongside. Running on best of all, Myconian led by three parts of a length on the line.

Owned by Daniel Macauliffe and Anoj Don, Myconian was bred by Lisbrook out of Listed winner Sirici (Choisir). Magna Grecia covered a quality book of mares in his first season at stud and among his juveniles to look forward to are siblings of top-class miler Poetic Flare, Coventry Stakes winner Nando Parrado, dual Group winner Royal Patronage (Wootton Bassett) and Grade 1 heroine Rhea Moon (Starspangledbanner).

Magna Grecia himself made a winning racecourse debut and went on to beat two subsequent Group 1 winners in the Group 1 Vertem Futurity Trophy. Aidan O’Brien’s charge made an impressive return to action in the Group 1 2,000 Guineas, which he won by two and a half lengths. By a proven sire of sires, he sold for 340,000gns as a foal and his fine pedigree has since improved, with half-brother St Mark’s Basilica winning five Group 1’s.