Qatar Jockey Club: St. Mark's Basilica out of reach

June 6 juin 2021, Chantilly racecourse (Oise). - Already the winner of the French 2,000 Guineas at ParisLongchamp, the Irish French-born St. Mark’s Basilica (Siyouni) also won the 181st Qatar Prix du Jockey Club (Gr1), run over 2,100m. Trained by Aidan O’Brien, who'd never won the French Classic before, and once again ridden by Ioritz Mendizabal, last winner of the Chantilly Derby with Mishriff, St. Mark's Basilica got the perfect trip with his 2 draw. He was able to follow the front-runner Normandy Bridge (Le Havre) and take over soon enough in the last straight when the latter faded. He wasn't rushed to the fore, though, and took a second start as soon as Sealiway (Galiway) and Millebosc (Le Havre) tried to challenge him. He won by two lengths over these two, while Saydabad (Blame) finished fourth, having found his way within the field. Fifth-placed, Cheshire Academy (Flintshire) came from the rear with his draw 19.

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.