Irish Champion Stakes (Group 1)

A WORLD-class field delivered a spectacle worthy of the occasion and at its gripping climax it was St Mark’s Basilica who emerged victorious to continue his perfect season and cement his position as one of the finest colts that Aidan O’Brien has trained.

After carrying all before him in France with victory in the Poule d’Essai des Poulains and the Prix du Jockey Club, St Mark’s Basilica then dispatched the best England had to offer in the Eclipse Stakes. His first start on home soil for a year saw the Siyouni colt facing his most daunting assignment to date.

The winner had to survive a stewards’ enquiry as he drifted steadily right over the course of the Leopardstown straight and brought Tarnawa with him. The pair ended up tight to the stands’ side of the track but there was never contact between them and the rules such as they are meant that the the prospects of a disqualification always looked remote.

All four runners emerged from this race with their reputations intact. They ran their races and gave their all and they delivered the sense of occasion that befits Irish Champions Weekend and, in particular, one of the most coveted prizes in world racing.

Brilliant

For her part Dermot Weld’s brilliant mare Tarnawa was beaten three-quarters of a length, but in defeat she has done nothing but underline her credentials as perhaps the horse to beat in this year’s Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe.

On his first try at 10 furlongs, Poetic Flare ran a splendid race to be beaten less than a length into third and there was a seven-and-a-half-length gap back to Patrick Sarsfield, who faced a most unenviable task in trying to make all in a race that contained three world-class talents.

However, the day belonged to St Mark’s Basilica who was giving his trainer a 10th victory in this race. In making it five Group 1 victories in succession, the Ryan Moore-ridden 5/6 favourite has established himself as a singular talent and it will be fascinating to see what path he might now follow.

As expected this four-runner affair was tactical and enthralling and all three of the big guns bided their time as Patrick Sarsfield cut out the running before the tremendous conclusion ensued over the last furlong and a half.

Poetic Flare was the first to strike for home but St Mark’s Basilica, with his potent turn of foot, had that move covered and on his outside Tarnawa came there with every chance.

Drifted

In the course of delivering his winning challenge, St Mark’s Basilica drifted steadily right from the middle to the near side of the track and brought the runner-up, Tarnawa, with him. The winner continued to go forward though and devour the ground, and he eeked out a narrow but precious advantage over the course of the last furlong that got him home by three-quarters of a length.

“He’s been an unbelievable horse all season,” reflected O’Brien. “We’re delighted to have him here after the blip he had before York. Doing his last piece of work before the Juddmonte his front shoe flew off and sliced the front of his near-hind joint. We were lucky to get him back. He was very sore for a few days but he came just in time for this and he’s a very brave horse.

“It was an unusual race in that they went early and came right back to a canter but I’d say the time in the last couple of furlongs was unbelievable. This horse really quickens and that’s what he has always been able to do. He’s just very relaxed and to go with it he has that turn of foot.”

Invaluable

As he looked to the future O’Brien added: “He’s an invaluable horse for us and the lads will decide what they went to do. His two targets were York and here and now we’ll have a discussion in the next seven days or so about what he will do now but he has just done so much already.

“He’s getting speed from Siyouni and [from the mare] he has all those great Galileo qualities and he is everything that you want. We have to pinch ourselves that we have him.”

After the enquiry Dermot Weld reflected: “Colin (Keane) thought he’d get it. He said the winning rider apologised to him and if you watch Ryan Moore’s left hand, he is edging the horse over. He knows exactly what he is doing. She’s been carried halfway across the track and I thought Ryan could have done a better job of keeping his horse straight.

“The stewards made the decision and I accept it, and so does his Highness (the Aga Khan). We’re very disappointed but we’ll move on.”

Careless riding

Moore picked up a one-day careless riding ban for his effort With the stewards called into action after both Group 1s on this card it brought the country’s interference rules into sharp focus once more.