Mares in Foal to St Mark's Basilica Sell to 1.4Million Guineas

Just two mares in foal to 2021 European Horse of the Year St Mark’s Basilica were offered at the Tattersalls December Mares Sale this week and they sold for 1.4million guineas and 800,000 guineas highlighting the high regard in which he is held.

Consigned by Newsells Park Stud on behalf of Philippa Cooper’s Normandie Stud dispersal, young stakes-winning Kingman mare Love is You was offered in foal to St Mark’s Basilica in her first season at stud and was snapped up by Godolphin for 1.4million guineas.

Godolphin have enjoyed pasts success purchasing from Normandie Stud having secured triple Group I winner Hurricane Lane from their draft at the Tattersalls October Yearling Sale in 2018 for 200,000 guineas.

Selling for 800,000 guineas to top the first day of the December Mares Sale, Archangel Gabriel was consigned by Norris Bloodstock to dissolve the partnership of Hunscote Stud and Chris Humber.

There was keen competition on the mare, but it was Hunscote Stud’s manager Andy Lloyd who won out with a successful bid of 800,000 guineas.

"We were one of the partners so obviously we were paying 50p in the pound," said Lloyd.

"She is a gorgeous mare, you don't get many chances and we had one. I think she is a decent buy for us on what she has bred. She has got a good cover and the family is very active, we are very lucky to keep her.

"Her progeny have made multiple times six figures, so we will see what St Mark's Basilica brings in March. We have no plans as yet for the spring, you don't make plans unless you've got something - now we have got her we can make a plan!”

Archangel Gabriel is the dam of Group III winner Ville de Grace who sold at this sale for 2million guineas.

St Mark’s Basilica is currently in Australia covering his first book of Southern Hemisphere mares at a fee of $44,000.