ST MARK’S BASILICA | Five-time Group 1 winner retired to stud

Aidan O’Brien has announced that Coral-Eclipse winner St Mark’s Basilica has been retired to stud, with the hope that he will follow in the footsteps of the mighty Galileo.

The Siyouni colt’s racing career comes to an end after a phenomenal three-year-old season, finishing as the joint top-rated horse in training and claiming the likes of the French 2,000 Guineas, French Derby and Irish Champion Stakes.

However, when one door closes, another opens with his connections hoping he can become the next big stallion prospect for Ballydoyle.

Talking to the Racing Post, Aidan O’Brien reflected on his decision to retire the five-time Group 1 winner.

“He’s a wonderful horse, possibly the best we have ever had in Ballydoyle. For us, he is as important a horse as has retired from here since Galileo, because he is a Siyouni.

“After the Irish Champion Stakes he was grand, but he was sore again when we got him back up to full work so that’s why we had to pull back off him.

“I discussed it with the lads to let them know what the picture was. I ticked him over for a while and we had a chat about it.

“I spoke to them this morning and they’ve decided it is too big a chance to take with him. I couldn’t say it’s the wrong decision for the horse.”