Diamond Necklace was the first Group I winner for St Mark’s Basilica (Fr) when charging home to win the Group I Prix Marcel Boussac (1600m) at Longchamp last October and overnight she picked up where she left off when taking out the Group I Poule d’Essai Des Pouliches (1600m).
The top lot at the 2024 Arqana Deauville August Yearling Sale when sold for €1.7million to MV Magnier, Diamond Necklace is a filly that has been in the spotlight for her whole life.
Trained by Aidan O’Brien and ridden by Ryan Moore, Diamond Necklace kept her record at a perfect four wins from four starts when handling atrocious conditions for her seasonal return.
She settled in a cosy spot near the fence and surged home along the inside to win by three lengths.
“Diamond Necklace is like her dad [St Mark's Basilica] as she has improved from two to three. She was very classy last year and she's got a lot of natural ability,” said Aidan O’Brien.
“She went through the race very easily and handled the ground very well. We had it in our heads she'd be a filly for either the Prix de Diane or the Oaks. We thought she could go up to a mile and a quarter [Prix de Diane trip] and could even go further, so she's very exciting.”
Diamond Necklace runs for the Coolmore partners and was bred by Ecurie des Monceaux and Skymarc Farm. She is the half-sister to multiple 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 and third G1 winner from 10 foals to race from stakes-winning Dansili blue hen Prudenzia.
Diamond Necklace is the first G1 winner among four stakes-winners for St Mark’s Basilica, who is due back at Coolmore Australia at a fee of $38,500.
His first Australian runners are juveniles and include undefeated stakes-winning colt Artistopolos.
