Champion S.

The first foal by European Champion 2-year-old and World Champion 3-year-old St Mark's Basilica (Fr) (Siyouni {Fr}) was born at Kiltinan Stud in Fethard, Co Tipperary, Ireland on Jan. 9. The colt is out of Vital Force (Ire) (Invincible Spirit {Ire}) and owned by the John Ferguson-headed Natalma Bloodstock. Vital Force is a half-sister to Godolphin's G2 Coventry S. winner Buratino (Ire) (Exceed and Excel {Aus}) and from the immediate family of Danehill Dancer. "He's a good first foal with a good frame to fill into and a confident temperament,"...

G1 Champion S. winner Sealiway (Fr) (Galiway {GB}), whose trainer Cedric Rossi was indicted by French police last week for equine doping and fraud, will join trainer Francis Graffard. Sealiway is among 200 horses on their way to new yards after Rossi and family members Charley and Frederic Rossi and Jessica Marcialis, as well as a stable manager and veterinarian, were forbidden by police to participate in racing or be on the grounds of a racetrack or training centre during the indictment, which could last as long as a year....

Sealiway (Fr) (Galiway {GB}) will begin what connections hope is the start of a "big international campaign" in the US$20-million G1 Saudi Cup on Feb. 26. It will mean a switch to dirt for the last-out G1 QIPCO Champion S. winner--trained by Cedric Rossi--but with the race elevated to Group 1 status in just its second year and maintaining its position as the most valuable in the world, the positives far outweigh the negatives. A top-level winner as a juvenile, Sealiway finished second to St Mark's Basilica (Fr) (Siyouni {Fr})...

Mishriff (Ire) (Make Believe {GB}), the world's joint highest-rated horse and the six-length winner of last month's G1 Juddmonte International, will bypass the G1 Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe on Oct. 3 and instead point in the G1 Champion S. at Ascot on Oct. 16, Racing Post reports. "After discussions with owner Prince Faisal it has been decided that Mishriff will have his next race in the Qipco Champion S. at Ascot," said trainer John Gosden. "We feel we should stick to a mile and a quarter with him rather...

Multiple Group 1 winner Addeybb (Ire) (Pivotal {GB}) will forego entries at Ayr and Newbury this weekend and instead target next Wednesday's Listed Foundation S. at Goodwood, where rainfall is expected. The 7-year-old gelding with an affinity for soft ground has not been seen since finishing second to St Mark's Basilica (Fr) (Siyouni {Fr})-and ahead of world co-top rated Mishriff (Ire) (Make Believe {GB})-in the G1 Eclipse S. on July 3. Addeybb is on course for a title defense of the G1 Champion S. at Ascot on Oct. 16. "The...

Trainer John Gosden has said that Qipco British Champions Day, where Palace Pier (GB) (Kingman {GB}) has entries in the G1 Champion S. and G1 Queen Elizabeth II S., is likely to be the 4-year-old's swansong before he goes off to stud. Palace Pier, last year's champion 3-year-old off wins in the G1 St James's Palace S. and G1 Prix Jacques le Marois, is a perfect four-for-four in 2021. Sheikh Hamdan al Maktoum's bay won the G2 bet365 Mile, G1 Lockinge S. and G1 Queen Anne S. before defending his...