THE well-named Group 1 Oaks winner Talent is dam of Group 2 winner and Group 1 Prix Jean Romanet runner-up Ambition, and the new owners of the mare’s St Mark’s Basilica yearling, purchased as a foal for 575,000gns, have a potential star. Bought by Jill Lamb Bloodstock on behalf of Newsells Park Stud, the agent said of her purchase: “She is beautiful, absolutely gorgeous. I fell in love with her as soon as I saw her.”

Ambition was just one star in a quality first book of mares that most stallions could only dream of having at stud. St Mark’s Basilica was Europe’s champion juvenile, topped the rankings again in an undefeated classic season that saw him crowned Cartier Horse of the Year, represents one of the hottest stallions in Europe, and is a half-brother to a classic star who has made a promising start at stud.