The 2009 Flat season has revolved solely around the brilliant Sea The Stars. This afternoon at Leopardstown in the Irish Champion Stakes, John Oxx’s star added another Group 1 to his name, his fifth in succession. After treating some immensely-talented rivals with complete disdain over the past five months, it would take a brave soul to bet against him not adding to his haul in the coming weeks.
Sea The Stars has been simply sublime this summer and today's win was arguably his most impressive. His participation had been doubt due to the ground conditions at the course and Oxx, as he stated all season long, was concerned that the soft ground may be against his champion. However, a couple of dry nights and a fresh track gave Oxx enough confidence to let Sea The Stars put his weighty reputation on the line once again.
The state of the ground was not the only thing against him. Aidan O’Brien has seen the backside of Sea The Stars all too often this season. Fame And Glory did not get close to him in the Derby; Rip Van Winkle was left trailing in the Coral-Eclipse at Sandown and Mastercraftsman, try as he did, was thoroughly outclassed in the Juddmonte International at York. Today was O’Brien’s next opportunity to topple his nemesis. After a scintillating performance in the Irish Derby, Fame And Glory seemed to hold his stable’s best chance, even though Mastercraftsman was allowed another crack at his recent successor.
As usual, the Ballydoyle pacemakers set a frantic early pace, attempting to make it a stern test of stamina in the rain-soaked conditions and play to the strengths of Fame And Glory. The big two in the betting sat off the pace throughout, until four furlongs from home when Johnny Murtagh moved Fame And Glory past Sea The Stars in a bid to stretch him. Unfortunately for Murtagh, Mick Kinane had the move covered and quickly moved his mount up the field and sat ready, waiting to push the button. Murtagh sent Fame And Glory for home two furlongs out but with supreme ease and finesse, Sea The Stars drew alongside his old rival and sauntered into a clear, unchallenged lead. It was a sight to behold as he powered away, winning easily by two widening lengths. Kinane did not have to resort to the whip, his rivals were left toiling and he made the high-class runner-up look like a mediocre individual.
Sea The Stars is a true testament to his trainer and jockey. Oxx’s handling of his prodigy has been faultless. Before each race, Oxx has given his time to inform the betting public of his well-being and his probability of turning up, mainly on the basis of the ground. Just like the horse himself, Oxx is calm, composed and very concise in his thinking and those qualities have certainly rubbed off on the son of Cape Cross. People say two is company but three’s a crowd, a statement not applicable to this trio. The final piece to the Sea The Stars puzzle is his jockey. On every occasion, 50-year-old Kinane has had full confidence in his mount and his opinion of him cannot be higher. Kinane regards him as the best he has ridden, something extraordinary and a horse that only comes along once in a lifetime.
It looks increasingly likely that Sea The Stars will end his three-year-old campaign unbeaten. His next target will probably be the Arc, but the decision is purely ground-dependent. After that, he may go for the English Champion Stakes at Newmarket, the scene of his 2,000 Guineas romp in May, and then the Breeders' Cup Turf at Santa Anita. However, his trainer believes the last two races may be asking too much of his brilliant colt, who has been on the go since spring. He is already a legend, but a win in France’s premier race will ensure he leaves a lasting legacy, as seen with the unstoppable Zarkava last season. He is now going to be compared to Flat racing’s greats – such as Nijinsky – and rightly so. During these tough times, racing is lucky to have a figure of his stature and he is the type that will attract new, young faces to the sport.
Sea The Stars is a freak in that he has been able to handle everything that has been thrown at him. For a horse to win five Group races on the bounce and not have a break is something largely unknown. For now, racing fans should rejoice in celebrating his presence, for in a few weeks he will be retired to stud and people will talk long of his name in years to come, wishing they had seen him in his pomp. If Sea The Stars is as good at shagging as he is as at running, then the Irish National Stud have something to look forward to.
Sea The Stars has been simply sublime this summer and today's win was arguably his most impressive. His participation had been doubt due to the ground conditions at the course and Oxx, as he stated all season long, was concerned that the soft ground may be against his champion. However, a couple of dry nights and a fresh track gave Oxx enough confidence to let Sea The Stars put his weighty reputation on the line once again.
The state of the ground was not the only thing against him. Aidan O’Brien has seen the backside of Sea The Stars all too often this season. Fame And Glory did not get close to him in the Derby; Rip Van Winkle was left trailing in the Coral-Eclipse at Sandown and Mastercraftsman, try as he did, was thoroughly outclassed in the Juddmonte International at York. Today was O’Brien’s next opportunity to topple his nemesis. After a scintillating performance in the Irish Derby, Fame And Glory seemed to hold his stable’s best chance, even though Mastercraftsman was allowed another crack at his recent successor.
As usual, the Ballydoyle pacemakers set a frantic early pace, attempting to make it a stern test of stamina in the rain-soaked conditions and play to the strengths of Fame And Glory. The big two in the betting sat off the pace throughout, until four furlongs from home when Johnny Murtagh moved Fame And Glory past Sea The Stars in a bid to stretch him. Unfortunately for Murtagh, Mick Kinane had the move covered and quickly moved his mount up the field and sat ready, waiting to push the button. Murtagh sent Fame And Glory for home two furlongs out but with supreme ease and finesse, Sea The Stars drew alongside his old rival and sauntered into a clear, unchallenged lead. It was a sight to behold as he powered away, winning easily by two widening lengths. Kinane did not have to resort to the whip, his rivals were left toiling and he made the high-class runner-up look like a mediocre individual.
Sea The Stars is a true testament to his trainer and jockey. Oxx’s handling of his prodigy has been faultless. Before each race, Oxx has given his time to inform the betting public of his well-being and his probability of turning up, mainly on the basis of the ground. Just like the horse himself, Oxx is calm, composed and very concise in his thinking and those qualities have certainly rubbed off on the son of Cape Cross. People say two is company but three’s a crowd, a statement not applicable to this trio. The final piece to the Sea The Stars puzzle is his jockey. On every occasion, 50-year-old Kinane has had full confidence in his mount and his opinion of him cannot be higher. Kinane regards him as the best he has ridden, something extraordinary and a horse that only comes along once in a lifetime.
It looks increasingly likely that Sea The Stars will end his three-year-old campaign unbeaten. His next target will probably be the Arc, but the decision is purely ground-dependent. After that, he may go for the English Champion Stakes at Newmarket, the scene of his 2,000 Guineas romp in May, and then the Breeders' Cup Turf at Santa Anita. However, his trainer believes the last two races may be asking too much of his brilliant colt, who has been on the go since spring. He is already a legend, but a win in France’s premier race will ensure he leaves a lasting legacy, as seen with the unstoppable Zarkava last season. He is now going to be compared to Flat racing’s greats – such as Nijinsky – and rightly so. During these tough times, racing is lucky to have a figure of his stature and he is the type that will attract new, young faces to the sport.
Sea The Stars is a freak in that he has been able to handle everything that has been thrown at him. For a horse to win five Group races on the bounce and not have a break is something largely unknown. For now, racing fans should rejoice in celebrating his presence, for in a few weeks he will be retired to stud and people will talk long of his name in years to come, wishing they had seen him in his pomp. If Sea The Stars is as good at shagging as he is as at running, then the Irish National Stud have something to look forward to.
