St Mark's Basilica (Fr), Churchill (Ire), Starspangledbanner (Aus) and Wootton Bassett (GB) have been confirmed on the Coolmore Australia roster for 2024, although a fee has yet to be revealed for the latter.
Wootton Bassett stood for $93,500 and covered 131 mares in 2023, which included Group 1 winners Srikandi and Spright. His return down under has been eagerly-anticipated and he will spearhead the travelling contingent.
“We are delighted to be able to confirm that Wootton Bassett is returning in 2024,” Tom Magnier said. “He is now having his first runners in Europe following his move to Coolmore and they could not have started more strongly with Camille Pissarro (Ire) winning so impressively in Ireland on Saturday for Aidan O'Brien.”
Magnier added, “Given the reception his first yearlings received in the sale ring here this year we have every confidence they will be able to match their European success on the track here in the coming months.”
Also returning to the Hunter Valley this season is the 2021 European Horse of the Year, St Mark's Basilica (Fr). Breeders will have the opportunity to access his bloodline at a reduced fee of $38,500 (inc GST).
St Mark's Basilica landed the G1 Prix du Jockey Club, the G1 Irish Champion S., the G1 Eclipse S., the G1 Dewhurst S., and the G1 Poule d'Essai des Poulains.
Also on the list returning shuttlers is Churchill (Ire). The champion miler by Galileo (Ire) will stand for a fee of $19,800 (inc GST). Churchill is responsible for 19 stakes winners worldwide, including three Group 1 winners. Four of his stakes winners have come in the Southern Hemisphere, headed by one of his Group 1 winners Attrition, who won the G1 Toorak H. and was placed in the G1 Australian Guineas.
The son of the legendary Galileo (Ire) has also sired runners the calibre of Blue Rose Cen (Ire), a four-time Group 1 winner and the brilliant colt Vadeni (Fr). Churchill has covered 747 mares in his six Southern Hemisphere seasons.
He will be joined by the proven Starspangledbanner, who covered 116 mares in 2023, and will command a fee of $44,000 this year.
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