Currently back in Australia at Coolmore preparing for his third Southern Hemisphere season at stud, 2021 European Horse of the Year St Mark’s Basilica made a splash during the second session of the Arqana Deauville August Yearling Sale when Al Shaqab Racing bought one of his fillies for €550,000.
A half-sister to Group I winner Feed the Flame and multiple Group winner Sacred Life, the filly was consigned by Écurie des Monceau x and is from top producer Knyazhna, whose dam is a sister to Group I St Leger winner Rule of Law.
“She’s a beautiful filly,” said Mohamed Abdulrahman Al Mansour representing Al Shaqab.
“She comes from a great family that includes the top performers Feed The Flame and Sacred Life. St Mark’s Basilica was a fantastic racehorse and we’re happy to buy from his first crop.”
The filly is the highest priced yearling so far at this sale for a first crop sire and St Mark’s Basilica has had other good results with a filly from Mahati selling for €320,000 and a filly from Holy Dazzle selling for €225,000.
A five time Group I winner from 1400 to 2100m, St Mark’s Basilica stands in Australia this spring at a fee of $38,500.
