St Mark’s Basilica triumphs in pulsating Irish Champion

St Mark's Basilica won the Irish Champion Stakes at Leopardstown on Saturday. It was Aidan O'Brien's colt's first race since winning the Coral-Eclipse Stake at Sandown 10 weeks ago. St Mark’s Basilia was the 5-6 favourite. Patrick Sarsfield was an outsider.

Aidan O'Brien's horse won a thrilling race. Poetic Flare finished third, Patrick Sarsfield was last. O’Brien had to catch up after missing York. He is an exceptional horse. He handles soft ground but Ascot can be very bad ground. St Mark”s Basilica won the Irish Champion. Fran Berry is Fran's trainer. She is happy with the performance of her horse, Poet's Flare.

Moore was given a one-day ban by the stewards for careless riding. St Mark's Basilica won the race.