Due back at Coolmore Australia this spring, exciting young shuttle sire St Mark’s Basilica (Fr) added a second Group I winner to his tally overnight at Deauville in France where the Group I Prix Jean Prat (1400m) attracted a hot field and was won by Thesecretadversary.
In a race that featured Group I Newmarket 1000 Guineas winner True Love and French 2000 Guineas winner Rayif, the Fozzy Stack trained Thesecretadversary was sent off at 7-1 with Christophe Soumillon to ride.
Fresh off a win at Royal Ascot in the Group III Jersey Stakes over 7f, Thesecretadversary was well rated in front and was strong to the line holding off a strong challenge from True Love to win by half a length.
“Christophe [Soumillon] was very good. We were worried there was no pace and he said 'I think I'm going to make the running.' It all worked out. We always felt Thesecretadversary was a good horse,” said Fozzy Stack.
“He showed it at Ascot and he showed it again today. I'd imagine he could go to York, the new Group 1. He's in the Haydock Sprint Cup too, Christophe said he has enough pace for six furlongs, and Seamus [Heffernan] has said the same.
“I'll talk to the owners and see what they want to do. Both halves of the partnership are in the stallion-making business, so I'll be guided by them.”
A big flashy chestnut with prominent white markings, Thesecretadversary has been super consistent with four wins and three placings from 10 starts.
Bred and raced by Coolmore in partnership with Cayton Park Stud, Thesecretadversary is the first winner from stakes-winning Gleneagles mare Too Soon to Panic, a daughter of Group III winner Scream Blue Murder with his next two dams Holly Blue and Nettle also stakes-winners.
Thesecretadversary is the second Group I winner among six stakes-winners for St Mark’s Basilica, whose oldest Australian progeny are two year-olds that include stakes-winner Aristopolos, stakes-placed West Coast and metro winners La Barrita, Gentle Touch and Apostle.
St Mark’s Basilica will be back at Coolmore this spring at a fee of $38,500.
