Youth to the fore as Basilica dominates the Coral-Eclipse

Whilst perhaps not containing as many runners as we would normally see, the quality still ran deep as St Mark’s Basilica ran out a ready winner of the Coral-Eclipse at Sandown Park under Ryan Moore.

Addeybb, Mishriff, El Drama and the winner made up one of the smaller fields in recent memory and the early pace was dictated by the veteran, Addeybb under Tom Marquand, seeking to expose any weaknesses in his rivals.

Far a large part of the first half of the race, the runners followed in single file before Mishriff, ridden by David Egan began to apply some pressure rounding the top bend. The pace of the race quickened from then and, initially, St Mark’s Basilica looked to be outpaced and it seemed increasingly likely the older generation would steal the Coral-Eclipse in 2021.

Moore, who is certainly no stranger to big race wins, galvanised his ride and straightened up after rounding the home turn and it soon became apparent there was plenty of petrol left in the tank.

As the older generation began to tire, the young pretender kept finding with the winning margin at the line a very impress three and a half lengths.

After the race, Moore said “I was hugely impressed, he’s won a Dewhurst, French Guineas, French Derby and has come here today and the two horses he has run against today are proven to be as good as there is anywhere.”

“He’s exciting, he’s a really straighforward horse and he’s got a really good turn of foot…”

Whilst the exact plan is yet to be set in stone, it seems likely that races such as the Juddmonte International will be firmly on this highly progressive colt’s agenda this season, and it seems unlikely that the Coral-Eclipse will be St Mark’s Basilica’s only Series win in 2021.