St Mark’s Basilica Colt Breaks Maiden In Style

Charles Fort (2c St Mark’s Basilica - Archangel Gabriel, by Arch) continued the excellent run of form for St Mark’s Basilica with an impressive victory at Cork on Wednesday.

The Ballydoyle-trained colt had placed on his three previous starts and stepped up again for a well-earned success. Making all under Jack Cleary, the two-year-old came home by four lengths in the Coolmore Stud Gleneagles Irish EBF (C & G) Maiden.

Stable representative Chris Armstrong said: "He showed plenty of speed at Gowran the last day and in fairness to Wayne [Lordan], the first thing he said afterwards was he'd have no trouble dropping back to six [furlongs]. This race just presented itself at the right time and he came through the last run well.

"Jack gave him a lovely ride, he jumped fierce quick and he set lovely fractions. He had them all off the bridle two [furlongs] out.

"He had a nice run first time out in Fairyhouse and will go back there in a few weeks for the Blenheim Stakes. At today's trip, he should be a stakes horse in the making and is another nice winner for the sire."

Charles Fort was continuing the notable winning run for St Mark’s Basilica, whose first crop also includes Listed scorer Thesecretadversary and Group-placed Rogue Supremacy, Princess Petrol and Aylin.

Charles Fort was bred by Hunscote Stud.