St Mark's Basilica set to feature in Irish Champion Stakes
- Andy Morgan
- 28 August 2021
St Mark's Basilica is set to run in Leopardstown's Irish Champion Stakes after starting to recover from an infection in a cut on his hind leg.
It was caused by a lost shoe and resulted in Aidan O'Brien's charge missing the Juddmonte International at York last week. The Irish Champion Stakes will run on September 11.
The three-year-old has won each of the last four Group One races in which he has run, in a stretch that began at last season's Dewhurst.
This season, he has been victorious in the French Guineas, the French Derby and the Coral-Eclipse, beating Addeybb and Mishriff in the process.
"St Mark's Basilica is on the right road. It's a case of all good so far and we're on track," said O'Brien.
O'Brien also reported on his two star fillies - Snowfall, currently 9/4 favourite with Planet Sport Bet for the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe, and Santa Barbara, who has won her last two starts in the US.
"Snowfall is working towards the Prix Vermeille at the moment and Santa Barbara might go to Keeneland for a race in about six weeks. She has taken her trips to America very well, she loves it," said O'Brien.
