The top lot at the 2024 Arqana Deauville August Yearling Sale was a blueblood St Mark’s Basilica filly from blue hen Prudenzia that sold for €1.7million to MV Magnier and she became the latest stakes-winner for her sire when romping to an impressive win in the Listed Ingabelle Stakes (7f) at Leopardstown overnight.
Trained by Aidan O’Brien and ridden by Christophe Soumillon, Diamond Necklace settled off the speed and powered to the line to win by more than two lengths and as now racked up two wins from her first two starts.
“She was a little impatient in the stalls and Diamond Necklace didn't jump out properly and after that I had to change my plans as a I was quite far back. She responded really well when I asked her to quicken, she does it so easy. It would be lovely to see her on Arc weekend (G1 Prix Marcel Boussac),” said Christophe Soumillon.
Diamond Necklace was bred by Ecurie des Monceaux and Skymarc Farm and is the half-sister to Group I winners Magic Wand and Chiquita (dam of Group II winner Emily Dickinson), as well as Group III winner Philomene.
She is the ninth winner from 10 foals to race from stakes-winning Dansili mare Prudenzia.
Diamond Necklace is the third stakes-winner for St Mark’s Basilica among 13 first crop winners and the 2021 European Horse of the Year is back at Coolmore Australia at a fee of $38,500.
