The dam of this impressive St Mark's Basilica (Fr) filly is Smise (NZ), a daughter of Sacred Falls (NZ). She was an unraced on the track, but has impressed with this filly only being her first foal. The mare comes from a very tough New Zealand family that Sir Patrick Hogan played a big part in building.
St Mark’s Basilica has made a flying start
St Mark’s Basilica (Fr) has launched his stud career in brilliant fashion in the Northern Hemisphere. The stallion shuttles between Coolmore Stud’s bases in Ireland and Australia.
It was only recently that the beautifully bred Diamond Necklace (Ire) (St Mark’s Basilica {Fr}) delivered for trainer Aidan O'Brien in the G1 Prix Marcel Boussac, giving her sire his first Group 1 winner.
St Mark’s Basilica himself was a five-time Group 1 winner who excelled over 2000 to 2100 metres, yet also possessed the class to win the G1 Dewhurst Stakes as a 2-year-old over 1400 metres. There’s every indication his progeny will improve with both time and distance.
St. Mark's Basilica (Fr) | Standing at Coolmore
“He’s really flying at the moment, he’s had a Group 1 winner, a Group 2 winner, a Listed winner and other stakes performers,” Timoney said.
“He’s (St. Mark's Basilica) really flying at the moment, he’s had a Group 1 winner, a Group 2 winner, a Listed winner and other stakes performers.” - Fionnuala Timoney
“You can’t expect him to have done any more than that at this stage, as you would think on breeding and types once they turn three, they will be even better.
“Word in Australia is just as positive with his 2-year-olds, the breakers and trainers of them like them, so it is all very exciting.”
A filly with plenty of quality
“I am quite happy with the filly, the mare has done a particularly good job as this is only her first foal,” Timoney said.
“She is a filly with plenty of quality, lovely shape, and a beautiful head which is typical of the St Mark’s.”
“She (St Mark's Basilica x Smise) is a filly with plenty of quality, lovely shape, and a beautiful head which is typical of the St Mark’s.” - Fionnuala Timoney
When asked how she came to acquire the mare, Timoney explained:
“I actually bought Smise’s half-sister Tavisocks off the track about five years ago, mainly with a view of having her as a riding horse, but she actually injured a tendon within a few months of me buying her so I thought maybe her new job could be as a broodmare.
Gallery: St Mark’s Basilica (Fr) x Smise (NZ), born at Calvados Bloodstock
“Within the next year or so she had two of her siblings featuring in Group 1 races. She is a full sister to Smise, who is quite a handy filly and ran fourth in the Queensland Oaks and was Group 2 placed for the Chris Waller stable.
“She was actually bred and raised by Debbie Kepitis’ Woppitt Bloodstock, and she also bred Smise and that is how she kind of landed in my lap.”
“She unfortunately broke her pelvis while she was in training so she never raced. She appealed to me, the fact that I had a half-sister and had been paying attention to the family quite closely.”
From a nice staying New Zealand family
Smise hails from a strong New Zealand staying family and is by Preferment (NZ), a son of the great Zabeel (NZ).
Her third dam is Smiling Like (NZ) (Star Way {GB}), a seven-time winner including the G1 Wellington Cup and G2 New Zealand Cup - both over two miles. Other Group 1 winners in the family include Coventina Bay (NZ) (Shamexpress {NZ}) and Nimue (NZ) (Star Way {GB}).
Preferment (NZ) | Standing at Brighthill Farm
“It is a nice New Zealand family, I always like the milers and the stayers and this filly comes from a tough staying family that Sir Patrick Hogan had for a few generations as well, so it’s a deep strong family,” Timoney added.
Now safely in foal to Private Life
After producing an impressive St Mark’s Basilica filly, Smise has been covered by another of Coolmore’s stallions - Private Life, and she is safely in foal.
Private Life, winner of the G1 Caulfield Guineas, is by Champion Sire Written Tycoon and out of the Group 3 winning and three-time Group 1 placed Snitzel mare Aliyana Tilde. He therefore combines the blood of two of Australia’s recent outstanding sires.
“She is safely in foal to Private Life, I elected to send her to a nice miler and he obviously won the Caulfield Guineas,” Timoney said.
Private Life | Standing at Coolmore
“He is an extremely good-looking horse, and I have actually sent two of my mares to him this year.
“He has plenty of size to him, these mares are only medium-sized mares so that played a part in my decision making, but I like the mating and we will see how that comes out.”
