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First Aussie Winner for St Marks Basilica

Tara Madgwick - Wednesday Dec 10

The 2021 European Horse of the Year, St Mark’s Basilica (Fr) is on the board with his first Australian winner after hot favourite Aristopolos made a winning debut at Launceston on Wednesday evening.

Trained by John Blacker, the colt was a six length barrier trial winner last month and punters expected to see more of the same when he stepped out in the 1100m juvenile maiden.

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Aristopolos settled back in the field for Erica Byrne Burke and let down with a big finish, chiming in at the furlong and racing clear to win by a couple of lengths eased down.

A $60,000 Magic Millions Tasmania purchase for his trainer from the Armidale Stud draft, Aristopolos was also bred by Armidale Stud and is the second foal to race and second winner from stakes-placed Flying Krupt.

Aristopolos was a $60,000 Magic Millions Tasmania purchase.

The sire of 23 first crop winners in the Northern Hemisphere headed by Group I winning filly Diamond Necklace, St Mark’s Basilica will have good representation at upcoming sales.

St Mark’s Basilica has 15 for Magic Millions, 11 for Inglis Classic and 14 for Inglis Premier.

St Mark's Basilica (Fr) is headed back to Ireland after a fourth season at Coolmore Australia.

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