A colt that holds entries for several upcoming Group races, Piazza San Marco became the 12th winner for Coolmore shuttler St Mark’s Basilica (FR) when bolting in at Galway overnight.
Trained by Aidan O’Brien and ridden by Ronan Whelan, Piazza San Marco improved sharply on his unplaced debut run in June, making the pace and kicking away to win the 1m maiden by more than three lengths.
"He is a smashing colt who had one run at Fairyhouse back in early June. He had been showing well above average ability at home, so we wanted to see if he was one for the Chesham (Stakes) at Royal Ascot but it just came too soon for him,” said stable representative Chris Armstrong.
"Time has done him the world of good and he has really strengthened, but what he does this year will be a bonus. You'll see the best of him next year over middle-distances and he is a fine, big, strong horse.
"He is by St Mark's Basilica. who we have a handful of, and we have some very, very smart ones. This horse will have no problem stepping up to stakes company hopefully this year."
A homebred for Coolmore, Piazza San Marco is the first foal of stakes-winning American Pharoah mare Willow, a daughter of Champion 3YO Filly Peeping Fawn.
He is another winner with stakes potential for St Mark’s Basilica, who is back in Australia at a fee of $38,500 and will have his first Australian bred 2YO’s racing this season.
