Emirates Poule des Poulains: A new trophy for St Mark’s Basilica

Sunday, May 16, 2021, ParisLongchamp Racecourse (Paris). - Last year's Dewhurst Stakes (Gr1) winner St Mark’s Basilica (Siyouni) easily won the 134th Poule d’Essai des Poulains (French Two Thousand Guineas, Gr1), sponsored by the Emirates. Ridden for the first time by Ioritz Mendizabal, the Aidan O’Brien-trained colt followed Sealiway (Galiway) and was able to find his way without much hassle at the open stretch, in the middle of the straight. He quickly made clear that the race was his as he passed the front-running Colosseo (Street Boss), who never gave up and finished a brave second at about two lengths. Also closing outside, Breizh Eagle (Bow Creek), unbeaten in three races until then, finished strongly in third, at a short neck, a head in front of Policy of Truth (Siyouni), who didn't have a clear run, Parchemin (Lope de Vega) and the Newmarket Guineas victor Poetic Flare (Dawn Approach), who wasn't very lucky either. Lots of unlucky stories then but a clear and undisputed winner.

St Mark’s Basilica was running for the first time this season becoming the first French 2,000 winner to do so since Vettori in 1995. Born in Normandy but bred in Ireland, St Mark's Basilica races for Derrick Smith, Sue Magnier and Michael Tabor. He's out of Cabaret (Galileo), a Group 3 winner in Ireland at 2, also the dam of the 2,000 Guineas winner Magna Grecia (Invincible Spirit). St Mark’s Basilica made £1.3m at Tattersalls. His maiden sister in foal to No Nay Never was sold last December at Newmarket for £520,000.