3 minute read
Last seasons Dewhurst Stakes winner wins Poule d’Essai des Poulains
The Aidan O’Brien-trained St Mark’s Basilica (3 c Siyouni - Cabaret by Galileo) began his three-year-old career in the best possible way when winning Sunday’s Poule d’Essai des Poulains (Gr 1, 1600m).
Last seen winning the Dewhurst Stakes (Gr 1, 7f) at Newmarket on October 10, St Mark’s Basilica was shuffled back towards the rear of the field and then moved up approaching the home turn. Into the straight, he was asked to quicken with 400 metres left to run and responded well, running on well in the closing stages to pull away and score by a length and three quarters over Colosseo (Street Boss). Breizh Eagle (Bow Creek) was a further short neck away in third.
“He quickens very well. He has an option to go to Ascot or go back for the French Derby. The original plan was that he would go there and back for the French Derby,” said O’Brien.
“He’s been working lovely and you saw the way he progressed through last year. They all couldn’t go to Newmarket and when he was to go to France last year, we said we’d stick that way."
Bred by Bob Scarborough, St Mark’s Basilica was bought for 1,300,000gns by MV Magnier at the 2019 Tattersalls October Yearling Sale. He is one of four winners out of Cabaret (Galileo), making him a half-brother to 2,000 Guineas (Gr 1, 1m) winner Magna Grecia (Invincible Spirit), who will stand at Coolmore Australia for $19,250 (inc GST) this spring.
Cabaret is out of LIsted placed Witch Of Fife (Lear Fan) making her a half-sister to Group Three winner Drumfire (Danehill Dancer).
St Mark’s Basilica is back and wins the Group 1 @Emirates Poule d’Essai des Poulains for Aidan O’Brien and Ioritz Mendizabal at @paris_longchamp! pic.twitter.com/kI7gB2tOsi
— At The Races (@AtTheRaces) May 16, 2021
The other Group One race on Sunday’s Longchamp card, the Poule d’Essai des Pouliches (Gr 1, 1600m), was won by the Jean-Claude Rouget-trained Coeursamba (3 f ex Marechael by Anabaa) who became the first Group One winner and third stakes winner overall for her sire The Wow Signal (Starspangledbanner).
Mother Earth (Zoffany), who started favourite, settled midfield but was no match for the winner and finished a length and a quarter away in second. Kennella (Kendargent) was a short neck away in third.
The winner is now likely to head towards the Prix Diane (Gr 1, 2100m) and the Coronation Stakes (Gr 1, 1m) at Royal Ascot is also under consideration.
“The filly was in great shape. We gave her the entire winter off and sent her to the stud. We couldn’t get her back in very early, but that didn’t worry me too much as she ran quite a lot as a two-year-old,” said Rouget.
“I picked the Prix du Louvre for her seasonal comeback, with orders to give her a gentle race. Everything went well for her today – a good draw, in good physical condition. She has experience, and that matters in these kinds of races.
“We are very happy. It was somewhat unknown territory coming into the race, as it was a very open competition. Before the race I said to Paul Basquin (racing manager for owner Abdullah bin Fahad Al Attiyah) that we could be first or second, or quickly find ourselves seventh or eighth!
“We are very pleasantly surprised. I was surprised by the acceleration that she showed – twice. She showed double the acceleration of some very good fillies.”
Coeursamba was bought for €40,000 by her trainer at the 2019 Deauville August Yearling Sale and was then bought by Haras du Saubouas for €400,000 at last year’s Arqana Arc Sale. She is out of Anabaa (Danzig) mare Marechale making her a hfl-sister to three winners including stakes placed filly Lady Sidney (Mr Sidney).
Big upset in the French 1000 Guineas! 66/1 shot Coeursamba denies Mother Earth to win the Group 1 @Emirates Poule d’Essai des Pouliches for @cristiandemuro and Jean-Claude Rouget at @paris_longchamp pic.twitter.com/5nBVZ0cvMM
— At The Races (@AtTheRaces) May 16, 2021
