Debut Winner for St Mark's Basilica

Set to shuttle to Australia this spring, St Mark’s Basilica had an impressive debut winner in the UK on Sunday with Cape Ashizuri (2c St Mark's Basilica x Muravka, by High Chaparral) opening his account in style.

Trained by John and Sean Quinn, Cape Ashizuri was easy in the market and green to the task, but proved too good when taking out the 6f maiden at Ayr by a couple of lengths.

“Cape Ashizuri showed signs of his inexperience, but you'd have to like how he came home. We've liked him from day one but we've always thought he's a seven furlong horse who has the speed for six,” said co-trainer Sean Quinn.

Purchased for 75,000 euros at the Arqana Deauville Yearling Sale by Hamish Macauley / Sean Quinn, Cape Ashizuri is bred to be above average as he is a sibling to Group I winner The Wow Signal, Group II winner Matrika, Group III winner Unicorn Lion and stakes-winner Miss Infinity, the dam of Group III winner Make Me King.

Cape Ashizuri is the seventh winner from seven to race from remarkable producer Muravka, an unraced daughter of High Chaparral.

St Mark’s Basilica returns to Australia at a fee of $38,500 and will have his first Australian runners in the spring.