From the third crop of five-time Group 1 winner St Mark’s Basilica (Fr), a son of Siyouni (Fr), Coolmore are thrilled with the colt from Lady Piaf (I Am Invincible) who is on par with his year older full sister.
“We have an outstanding St Mark’s Basilica yearling filly to sell at the Magic Millions in January,” said Coolmore's Tom Moore.
“She’s always been extremely highly rated, hence why we decided to send the mare back to St Mark’s Basilica last year. This year’s colt is every bit as good, so we’re delighted.”
St Mark's Basilica (Fr) x Lady Piaf colt | Born at Coolmore
From a magnificent family
Lady Piaf was twice placed in her two start racing career, including a third behind Espiona (Extreme Choice) who was on debut that day and went on to win the G1 Coolmore Classic. Accordingly, Coolmore have backed Lady Piaf’s breeding career with strong stallion choices. Her first foal is 2-year-old filly Wacko (Wootton Bassett {GB}), then she has the yearling filly by St Mark’s Basilica mentioned by Moore, and our Foal Focus featured colt by the same sire.
Wacko was purchased by David Norris for $875,000 from Coolmore's 2025 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale draft. She's in training with Clarry Conners.
Wacko as a yearling | Image courtesy of Magic Millions
Lady Piaf’s second dam is dual Group 1 winner Lady Jakeo (Last Tycoon {Ire}) who won the G1 Blue Diamond Stakes and G1 Australia Stakes. Lady Jakeo has been an excellent broodmare, creating her own dynasty with two stakes winners of her own, and multiple more in the next generations.
Lady Jakeo produced Group 3 winner in America Red Arrow (Red Ransom {USA}) and Hong Kong’s Listed winner Able Choice (Dehere {USA}). Her daughter Miss Jakeo (Unbridled’s Song {USA}) was a winner at two, and has been an outstanding broodmare with four stakes winners led by Group 1 winner Mrs Onassis (General Nediym), as well as Group 3 winners Fifth Avenue Lady (Encosta De Lago) and Aussies Love Sport (Redoute’s Choice), while her Group 3 winning daughter Miss Judgement (Strategic) is the dam of dual Group 2 winner Passive Aggressive (Fastnet Rock) and Group 3 winner and Group 1 placed Missrock (Fastnet Rock).
Lady Piaf will be covered by Switzerland in 2025.
Lady Piaf | Image courtesy of Magic Millions
Backing St Mark’s Basilica
As he heads into his fourth season, St Mark’s Basilica’s first crop have just turned two, and his juveniles in Europe are half-way through their first season. He’s already clocked up multiple winners in Europe, with three stakes winners being G2 Doncaster May Hill Stakes winner Aylin (Ire), Listed Tipperary Churchill Stakes winner Thesecretadversary (Ire) and this week’s Listed Leopardstown Ingabelle Stakes winner Diamond Necklace (Ire).
“We took a strong position in St Mark’s Basilica in his second season and as a result we’ve got a good number of them to sell next year, which is looking like being a very good thing,” Moore said.
St Mark's Basilica's first crop of yearlings in Australia sold in 2025, with 49 yearlings sold at an average of $169,500.
St Mark’s Basilica (Fr) | Standing at Coolmore
“He’s already had fourteen 2-year-old winners from his first crop in Europe, highlighted by three stakes winners and the likes of Diamond Necklace, Aylin, Thesecretadversary and Piazza San Marco targeting Group 1s later in the season.
When you compare him with a horse like Too Darn Hot, who he shares a lot in common with, their numbers are extremely similar at the same stage of their careers.”
Both Too Darn Hot (GB) and St Mark’s Basilica won the G1 Dewhurst at two, and went on to add further Group 1s at three. Too Darn Hot won the G1 Prix Jean Prat over a mile and the G1 Sussex Stakes over 1800 metres, while St Mark’s Basilica’s 3-year-old season was a massive one.
Too Darn Hot (GB) | Standing at Darley
He won the G1 Poule d'Essai des Poulains over a mile, G1 Prix du Jockey Club over 2100 metres, the G1 Irish Champion Stakes over 2000 metres, and the G1 Eclipse Stakes over the same trip.
Too Darn Hot has gone on to win both the Champion First and Second Season Sire titles in Australia, and St Mark’s Basilica looks to be heading in the right direction at this stage.
