THE IRISH COLT ST MARK’S BASILICA GIVES O’BRIEN HIS FIRST PRIX DU JOCKEY CLUB WIN

*QREC-SPONSORED QATAR PRIX DU JOCKEY CLUB

JDG

Photo credits: zuzanna Lupa

The Qatar Racing and Equestrian Club sponsored the Qatar Prix du Jockey Club, the French Derby, for the first time in 2021. This Classic race reunites the best European 3-year-old colts and is also known as a stallion making race, with the likes of Lope de Vega, Shamardal, Dalakhani and Montjeu all former winners. His Excellency Sheikh Ali Bin Jassim Al Thani, Ambassador of Qatar to France, and Mr Edouard de Rotshchild, President of France Galop, was present at Chantilly and presented the trophies to the winners.

The Irish trained St Mark’s Basilica, who started favourite, was the clear winner of this year’s exceptional edition, which reunited the cream of the 3-year-old crop,, three weeks after his triumph in the Group 1 Emirates Poule d’Essai des Poulains at ParisLongchamp. His was ridden once again by Ioritz Mendizabal, who gave his mount a dream ride on the rail.

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By leading French stallion Siyouni (based at the Normandy stud of His Highness the Aga Khan),St Mark’s Basilica, gave his rivals the slip 300 metres from the post. Sealiway, representing the Haras de la Gousserie and Guy Pariente, came in second for trainer Frédéric Rossi. Milleboscwas a close third: he runs in the colours of Gérard Augustin-Normand and was ridden by Grégory Benoist. Heis trained in Deauville by the young StéphanieNigge, who was having her first runners in thisClassic race.

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St Mark’s Basilica is trained by Irishman Aidan O’Brien, one of the most successful trainers in Europe (he has won the Epsom Derby eight times), although success in the Qatar Prix du Jockey-Club had eluded him until now! He is owned by the Coolmore, one of the powers of the Thoroughbred industry, and an entity which has forged a reputation as a veritable stallion factory.

“Ioritz rode a very good race, just like he rode in the Poule d’Essai”, commented Aidan O’Brien, “We always thought he would get the 2,100 metres, even if he has got a lot of speed. He had come on a lot since the Poule d’Essai des Poulains. The plan was always to run in the Poule d’Essai and after the Qatar Prix du Jockey Club. You need to have a very good horse to win the Jockey Club. His ability to accelerate where it counts and his temperament have made the difference. He is able to adapt to any type of ground, even if I think that, by looking at his action, he will be better suited by better ground. Will he get 2,400m? We can’t fully say until we have tried it. It is possible because he is so relaxed during his races. As regards the next step, we will see how he comes out of the race but he has lots of options. The Eclipse followed by the Champion Stakes could be on the agenda.”

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Ioritz Mendizabal was over the moon with this Classic victory for a second consecutive year,“It’s incredible! It’s a huge privilege to be associated with a horse trained by Aidan O’Brien. Pierre-Alain Chereau, my agent, told me that I would win him a first Jockey Club. I was surprised at this because when you look at his record we think that he has won everything already. It was the same with John Gosden last year. I won him his first Jockey Club too. We had a good draw and we took advantage of that. When you slot into a good position early, it’s easier. During the parade and the preliminaries he was very calm. It’s a huge advantage. I was full of running turning in for home. I didn’t want to go too early though, because he was trying the distance for the first time. I probably still got there a shade too early, but I gave the horse a chance and thankfully he won.

A year ago I never thought I would get back on horses capable of winning Classics. It’s thanks to John Gosden, who trusted me with the ride on Mishriff, and the excellent work by my agent, Pierre-Alain Chereau. Without them none of this would have been possible.”

The second placed Sealiway ran a strong race and his trainer Frederic Rossi explained“It’s excellent. I have always said he will be better for a step up in trip. I am very happy for Franck [Blondel]. I had the horse as well as I could for today. It’s great to finish second in the Jockey Club with him. In the Poule he was unlucky, we made the running for everyone and got run out of it… I’ve wanted to step him up for a while now.”

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StéphanieNigge was running in the race for the first time in her young training career, and was responsible for the third, Millebosc.“I was shouting as loud as I could! Millebosc picked up so strongly. He is very good horse. I’ve always believed in him and he has proved his class there. He had a few problems early on in the year and after his comeback run, which was a bit late, he changed a lot physically. Millebosc will be better in the Autumn. He is still very unexposed and that was only his fourth race. It’s great to have a good horse and we can maybe step him up in distance come the Autumn. Today he travelled very well and was relaxed. In the Prix de Guiche (Group 3), he was a bit too much in the jockey’s hands. We tried a few things and put a cross noseband on him, which definitely helped. Grégory Benoist rode an excellent race. I want to thank all my team at home from the bottom of my heart. We might see him out next at Deauville in August. But I think he will be better off in the Autumn with softer ground.

With Normandy Bridge, it’s a shame, he was in front and relaxed. He will now have a break and we will reevaluate the situation.”

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