St Mark’s Basilica produced his trademark finishing burst to surge clear of his older rivals Addeybb and Mishriff to score for Aidan O’Brien and Ryan Moore in the Coral-Eclipse.

The anticipated clash between the leading three-year-old colt of the season and two top-class older horses delivered an outstanding performance from the youngster, who returned the evens favourite, as he blew away his opponents in the final furlong.

O’Brien, who was winning the Coral-Eclipse for a sixth time, said it was “very special” to see St Mark’s Basilica defeat the older horses having triumphed in the Poule d’Essai des Poulains and Prix du Jockey Club this season.

 

St Mark’s Basilica (left) had his rivals toiling in the final throes of the Coral-Eclipse - Alan Crowhurst

“He’s a lovely horse, he does everything,” O’Brien said. “Every race he’s stepped up and stepped up and we feel he’s stepped up again. I’m delighted for everyone and delighted for the lads [Coolmore partners, owners].

“It’s always a nervous time [taking on older horses] as he’d won two Classics and they’re two proper older horses. For him to do that makes it very special.”

Addeybb had made the running with Mishriff for close company, with the latter taking on and passing the front-runner at the bottom of the home straight.

However, despite all his talents, Mishriff does not possess a turn of foot to match St Mark’s Basilica and having been bustled up to the heels of the leader, the three-year-old burst clear by under Moore.

It was a decisive, impressive moment from an exciting horse and it was enough to settle the race almost instantly, with Addeybb rallying to pass Mishriff in the closing stages to take a never-threatening second.

Watch: St Mark’s Basilica stamps his class on a small but talented Eclipse field

Moore said: “I was hugely impressed. The two horses he had to run against have proven to be as good as any horses in the world, so he’s very exciting. He’s straightforward with a real turn of foot.

“When I asked him to go the job he put the race away very quickly. When you’re running against two proven horses that are as tough as they are they are going to get you off the bridle at some stage, but he was very good in the final furlong.”

St Mark’s Basilica was shortened to 6-4 (from 3) for the Juddmonte International by Paddy Power and Betfair, with O’Brien indicating that contest and the Irish Champions Stakes would be under consideration.

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