Backed into even-money favourite the Ballydoyle horse is a half-brother to Magna Grecia. The eventual winner went into the lead entering the final furlong before extending impressively to win by three and a half-lengths from globe-trotting Group 1 winner Addeyyb. The John and Thady Gosden-trained Saudi Cup winner Mishriff was back in third.

“Ryan [Moore] was blown away by St Mark’s Basilica out there. He couldn’t believe when he asked him how well he quickened,” said winning trainer Aidan O’Brien.

“He is a relaxed traveller so he doesn’t use any energy. When he comes on he comes on slowly and when they do go for him he really turns it on. I think it is a mark of a good horse when they can quicken like that.

“He puts races to bed very quickly. He is progressing all the time. I think the Juddmonte or the Irish Champion will be next. He could do both as there is enough time between them.”

St Mark’s Baslica is by Siyouni out of Australian breeder Bob Scarborough’s 14-year-old Galileo mare Cabaret. He had previously won two French Classics this year, the 2000 Guineas and the Derby.

A winner over six furlongs at two, St Mark’s Basilica finished out his juvenile season with a win in the Group 1 Dewhurst Stakes (7f) at Newmarket last October.

Michael Tabor, who owns the Siyouni colt in partnership with Derek Smith and Sue Magnier, said:

“He’s just proved what a good horse he is, and having won the French Guineas and the French Derby and now this it’s onwards and upwards as they say. He always seemed comfortable and when Ryan let him go he was strong.

“He’s obviously up with there with the very best we’ve had, but it’s very difficult to compare years. It’s one step at a time and now he’s won we can sit down and enjoy thinking about where he goes next.”

Reaction from William Haggas and John Gosden

William Haggas, trainer of runner-up Addeyyb, said:

“He ran a fantastic race and stayed on really well. On ground that probably isn’t quite soft enough for him he showed that he’s still in very good form. He might go for the King George, but I’m not saying he will. He’s in it, but he’d need soft ground.”

Trainer John Gosden said of third home Mishriff:

“The winner was impressive but Mishriff will definitely come on for this race. The last half a furlong just caught him out a bit on this tiring ground but he has run a very good race. The ground came against him as it was a bit testing for him but he has run a great race and I’m happy with him.

Sixth win for Aidan O’Brien

The victory of St Mark’s Basilica in 2021 sees Aidan O’Brien join Sir Michael Stoute and Alec Taylor Jr as the most successful trainer in the Coral-Eclipse with six victories. O’Brien was also successful with Giant’s Causeway (2000), Hawk Wing (2002), Oratorio (2005), Mount Nelson (2006) and So You Think (2011). The Siyouni colt us the 15^th winner trained in Ireland.

All of O’Brien’s winners were owned by Coolmore (made up of syndicates including combinations of Sue Magnier, Michel Tabor and Derrick Smith), who join Godolphin as the contests winning-most owner with six victories.

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The 10-furlong contest forms part of the British Champions Series and is the first significant contest where those from the Classic generation take on their elders.

Heading the entries is Mishriff. The John and Thady Gosden-trained four year old landed last season’s French Derby. He has won both his starts so far in 2021, the Saudi Cup and the Dubai Sheema Classic.

St Mark’s Basilica is one of 13 remaining entries for Aidan O’Brien. The three year old Siyouni colt is a dual Classic winner in France this season. Last weekend, he won the Group One Prix du Jockey-Club at Chantilly.

The only other Irish trainer with a runner engaged is Jim Bolger. MacSwiney, the Tattersalls Irish 2000 Guineas winner is among the 31 remaining horses.

The five-day confirmation stage for the Coral-Eclipse is on Monday 28^th June, when there is also a supplementary entry stage.

THE CORAL-ECLIPSE (Group 1) (British Champions Series)

SANDOWN PARK – Saturday 3^rd July

Addeybb (IRE) 7 9 7 Sheikh Ahmed Al Maktoum William Haggas

Armory (IRE) 4 9 7 Mrs John Magnier,Mr M.Tabor & Mr D.Smith Aidan O’Brien IRE

Japan (GB) 5 9 7 M Matsushima/D Smith/Mrs Magnier/M Tabor Aidan O’Brien IRE

Lord North (IRE) 5 9 7 HH Sheikh Zayed bin Mohammed Racing John & Thady Gosden

Mishriff (IRE) 4 9 7 Prince A. A. Faisal John & Thady Gosden

Mogul (GB) 4 9 7 Mr M. Tabor, D. Smith & Mrs John Magnier Aidan O’Brien IRE

My Oberon (IRE) 4 9 7 Sunderland Holding Inc. William Haggas

Palace Pier (GB) 4 9 7 Sheikh Hamdan Bin Mohammed Al Maktoum John & Thady Gosden

Regal Reality (GB) 6 9 7 Mr Peter Done Sir Michael Stoute

Sangarius (GB) 5 9 7 Juddmonte Sir Michael Stoute

Love (IRE) 4 9 4 Mr M. Tabor, D. Smith & Mrs John Magnier Aidan O’Brien IRE

Wonderful Tonight (FR) 4 9 4 Mr Christopher Wright David Menuisier

Battleground (USA) 3 8 11 Mr M. Tabor, D. Smith & Mrs John Magnier Aidan O’Brien IRE

Bolshoi Ballet (IRE) 3 8 11 Mrs J Magnier/M Tabor/D Smith/Westerberg Aidan O’Brien IRE

El Drama (IRE) 3 8 11 Sheikh Mohammed Obaid Al Maktoum Roger Varian

High Definition (IRE) 3 8 11 D Smith/M Tabor/Mrs J Magnier/Westerberg Aidan O’Brien IRE

Highland Avenue (IRE) 3 8 11 Godolphin Charlie Appleby

John Leeper (IRE)3 8 11 Anamoine Ltd Ed Dunlop

Mac Swiney (IRE) 3 8 11 Mrs J. S. Bolger Jim Bolger IRE

Mohaafeth (IRE) 3 8 11 Shadwell Estate Company Ltd William Haggas

Mostahdaf (IRE) 3 8 11 Shadwell Estate Company Ltd John & Thady Gosden

Naamoos (FR) 3 8 11 H.H. Shaikh Nasser Al Khalifa & F. Nass Mark Johnston

New Mandate (IRE) 3 8 11 Mr Marc Chan Ralph Beckett

One Ruler (IRE) 3 8 11 Godolphin Charlie Appleby

Royal Champion (IRE) 3 8 11 Sheikh Mohammed Obaid Al Maktoum Roger Varian

St Mark’s Basilica (FR) 3 8 11 Mr D. Smith, Mrs J. Magnier, Mr M. Tabor Aidan O’Brien IRE

Wembley (IRE) 3 8 11 Mr M. Tabor, D. Smith & Mrs John Magnier Aidan O’Brien IRE

Joan of Arc (IRE) 3 8 8 Mr D. Smith, Mrs J. Magnier, Mr M. Tabor Aidan O’Brien IRE

Mother Earth (IRE) 3 8 8 Mr D. Smith, Mrs J. Magnier, Mr M. Tabor Aidan O’Brien IRE

Santa Barbara (IRE) 3 8 8 Mrs J Magnier/M Tabor/D Smith/Westerberg Aidan O’Brien IRE

Snowfall (JPN) 3 8 8 Mr D. Smith, Mrs J. Magnier, Mr M. Tabor Aidan O’Brien IRE

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