Sea the Stars
Encyclopedia
Sea The Stars is a champion Irish Thoroughbred
colt
racehorse
. Regarded by many as one of the greatest racehorses of all time, he is best known for winning the 2,000 Guineas, the Epsom Derby
, the Eclipse Stakes
, - the first colt to accomplish this treble since 1989 champion Nashwan
- the International Stakes
, the Irish Champion Stakes
, and the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe
.
Bred by Sunderland Holdings Ltd, the breeding operation of the Tsui family, he is a half brother to Epsom Derby
winner Galileo
, both being sons of Arc winner Urban Sea
.
in July 2008. Still very green and boxed in in the final furlong, he finished a close fourth behind subsequent US Grade 1 winner Driving Snow.
He won his second race easily at Leopardstown
by 2½ lengths, taking the lead 2 furlongs out and never being threatened.
In the last race of his 2 year old campaign, Sea The Stars won the Group 2 2008 Beresford Stakes
at the Curragh
by ½ length from stablemate Mourayan and Ballydoyle's Masterofthehorse. This turned out to be his closest race.
2000 Guineas
Rested over the winter, John Oxx entered him into the 2009 2,000 Guineas without a prep race. Despite this, he started 8-1 in the betting behind the Craven Stakes
winner Delegator (3/1f). There were concerns about his preparations because of a setback on 17 March due to a viral infection and a temperature. He rested for 2 weeks, which hampered his preparation for the Guineas. However John Oxx
still wanted to give him his chance at a mile and a good workout the week prior to the race encouraged Oxx to declare him.
Travelling well throughout the race, he pulled clear of the field in the final furlong winning by one length from the favourite, with Gan Amhras ¾ of a length behind in third.
Michael Kinane
, winning his fourth 2,000 Guineas, later commented: "He's a classy horse and we've waited for him all winter. He's been crying out for this ground."
Epsom Derby
Despite doubts about his stamina and a strong field, notably from Ballydoyle
who fielded six of the twelve runners, Sea The Stars won the 2009 Epsom Derby
beating the favourite Fame And Glory, and Masterofthehorse (making it a 1-2-3 to Ireland). Racing prominently behind the pacemakers, Sea The Stars traveled very well and slowly reeled in the leader from three furlongs out, taking the lead with 1 furlongs to go and keeping the lead all the way to the finish. Mick Kinane (winning his third derby two weeks shy of his 50th birthday) said of the winner "I was going so easy all the way, it was as if we were going in slow motion."
Eclipse Stakes
Sea the Stars was scratched from the 2009 Irish Derby due to the track conditions, but went on to win the Eclipse Stakes
at Sandown Park
a week later. Always travelling well, he overtook the fading pacemakers early down the straight, forcing Kinane to commit earlier than expected. Rip Van Winkle came with a strong challenge two furlongs out, but Sea The Stars fought him off with a surge of acceleration, winning readily by one and a half lengths, with 2008 Breeders' Cup Turf
winner Conduit
five lengths behind in third.
International Stakes
In August 2009, Sea the Stars won the Juddmonte International Stakes
at York
. Scaring off most of the opposition, only four horses were left in the race, three of them from Ballydoyle. Mastercraftsman, winner of four Group I races including the Irish 2000 Guineas
and the St. James's Palace Stakes
at Ascot, was the main opposition with the two others acting as pacemakers. Tracking Mastercraftsman throughout the race, Kinane followed Johnny Murtagh through a narrowing gap created by the two pacemakers at the beginning of the straight. Sea The Stars powered past Mastercraftsman in the last furlong, taking the Group I race by a length, breaking the track record by 0.8 seconds in doing so.
Irish Champion Stakes
Next was the Irish Champion Stakes
at Leopardstown
in September 2009. His first appearance in front of his home crowd since 2008, the race was billed as a clash between Sea The Stars and Fame and Glory
, who since finishing second in the Epsom Derby
had won the Irish Derby by five lengths and been rested for two months. The race was highly anticipated as the rematch during the Irish Derby was postponed due to ground conditions. Turning into the straight, Johnny Murtagh on board of Fame and Glory took the initiative and got first run on Sea The Stars. A patient Kinane stayed on Murtagh's heels and with a powerful burst of speed went easily past Fame and Glory two furlongs out to win by two and a half lengths. Mastercraftsman, finished third another two and a half lengths behind Fame and Glory. After his win in the Irish Champion Stakes, Sea the Stars was awarded a 140 Timeform
Rating.
Prix de L'Arc de Triomphe
On October 4, 2009, six months since his win in the 2000 Guineas, Sea The Stars lined up as the odds-on favourite for Europe's most prestigious All-aged race, the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe
in France. A large field of nineteen runners along with a long and difficult season were major concerns, many thinking this was one race too far. The race featured nine other Group I winners, including the unbeaten French filly Stacelita
, the Yorkshire Oaks
and Pretty Polly Stakes winner Dar Re Mi
, the Irish Derby winner Fame and Glory
, the 2008 St Leger Stakes, 2008 Breeders' Cup Turf
and King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes winner Conduit
, the Prince of Wales's Stakes
winner Vision d'Etat
, the Grand Prix de Paris
and Prix Niel
winner Cavalryman and the 2 times Arc runner up Youmzain
. Quickly out of the stalls, Sea The Stars pulled very hard for the first two furlongs, was bumped and dropped back down the field. Kinane was able to settle him and raced on in eighth and ninth position throughout the race. Turning into the straight, Sea The Stars stayed on the rail and seemed boxed in and in trouble. As the principals started to pick up Kinane was able to find a gap and challenged Stacelita alongside Dar Re Mi. Sea The Stars then produced a decisive turn of foot and went clear in a matter of strides. After going three lengths clear half a furlong out, he was eased down, winning by two lengths. He thus became the only horse to have won the 2,000 Guineas, Epsom Derby
, and the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe
in the same year.
Sea the Stars took all the available major awards across Europe, including Champion 3 Year Old and Horse of the Year at the Cartier Racing Awards, Champion 3 Year Old and Horse of the Year at the Racehorse Owners Association Awards and Horse of the Year at the Irish Horse Racing Awards.
.
On October 27, 2009, it was announced that Sea The Stars would stand at the Aga Khan's Gilltown Stud in Ireland. The 2008 Prix De l'Arc de Triomphe winner Zarkava was among the first mares booked to be covered by him.
On March 6, 2010, it was announced that Sea The Stars had his first five mares checked in foal. Among those is Zarkasha of the unbeaten Zarkava. The other notable mares includes Bordighera - dam 2000 Guineas winner George Washington, the 2009 winner of the Darley Prix Jean Romanet (Fr-I) Alpine Rose, Centreofattention, a full sister to Irish Group 1 winner Holy Roman Emperor, and Seward’s Folly, the dam of Group 2 winner Sayif.
, Sea The Stars has covered 140 mares.
On January 23 2011, it was reported that two days previously his first foal had been born to the Australian horse Centreofattention at Castlebridge Stud in Ireland. The owner of Castlebridge Stud said "We are delighted to have had the first Sea the Stars foal born, he looks a smashing colt with plenty of size and scope."
He currently stands for €85,000.
, winner of the Lockinge Stakes
, Celebration Mile
and Queen Anne Stakes
in the UK. Since retiring to stud, he has sired the winners of 19 Group 1 races worldwide, including Ouija Board (winner of Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf
(twice) and Epsom Oaks
). He currently stands at Kildangan Stud in Ireland.
Urban Sea
, Sea the Stars' dam, was the winner of France's most prestigious race, the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe
. She is also one of the top broodmares of her generation. Sea The Stars is half brother to a number of stakes and group winners including: Galileo
(1998 colt by Sadler's Wells
), winner of Epsom Derby
, Irish Derby and the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes and voted European Champion Three-Year-Old
; Black Sam Bellamy (2000 colt by Sadler's Wells
), winner of the Gran Premio del Jockey Club
and Tattersalls Gold Cup
; All Too Beautiful (2001 filly by Sadler's Wells
), second in the Oaks
; and, My Typhoon
(2002 filly by Giant's Causeway
), winner of Diana Handicap
. Urban Sea is one of only two mares to ever produce two Epsom Derby winners, namely Galileo and Sea the Stars.
Thoroughbred
The Thoroughbred is a horse breed best known for its use in horse racing. Although the word thoroughbred is sometimes used to refer to any breed of purebred horse, it technically refers only to the Thoroughbred breed...
colt
Colt (horse)
A colt is a young male horse, under the age of four. The term "colt" is often confused with foal, which refers to a horse of either sex under one year of age....
racehorse
Horse racing
Horse racing is an equestrian sport that has a long history. Archaeological records indicate that horse racing occurred in ancient Babylon, Syria, and Egypt. Both chariot and mounted horse racing were events in the ancient Greek Olympics by 648 BC...
. Regarded by many as one of the greatest racehorses of all time, he is best known for winning the 2,000 Guineas, the Epsom Derby
Epsom Derby
The Derby Stakes, popularly known as The Derby, internationally as the Epsom Derby, and under its present sponsor as the Investec Derby, is a Group 1 flat horse race in Great Britain open to three-year-old thoroughbred colts and fillies...
, the Eclipse Stakes
Eclipse Stakes
The Eclipse Stakes is a Group 1 flat horse race in Great Britain open to thoroughbreds aged three years or older. It is run at Sandown Park over a distance of 1 mile, 2 furlongs and 7 yards , and it is scheduled to take place each year in early July.-History:The event is named after Eclipse, a...
, - the first colt to accomplish this treble since 1989 champion Nashwan
Nashwan
Nashwan was a thoroughbred racehorse bred and owned by Sheikh Hamdan Al Maktoum.The chestnut colt was sired by the 1977 Poule d'Essai des Poulains winner Blushing Groom out of Height of Fashion, a daughter of Bustino previously owned by Queen Elizabeth II. He was a thus half-brother to the Group...
- the International Stakes
International Stakes
The International Stakes is a Group 1 flat horse race in Great Britain open to thoroughbreds aged three years or older. It is run at York over a distance of 1 mile, 2 furlongs and 88 yards , and it is scheduled to take place each year in August....
, the Irish Champion Stakes
Irish Champion Stakes
The Irish Champion Stakes is a Group 1 flat horse race in Ireland which is open to thoroughbreds aged three years or older. It is run at Leopardstown over a distance of 1 mile and 2 furlongs , and it is scheduled to take place each year in September.-History:The event was established in 1976, and...
, and the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe
Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe
The Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe is a Group 1 flat horse race in France which is open to thoroughbreds aged three years or older. It is run at Longchamp over a distance of 2,400 metres , and it is scheduled to take place each year, usually on the first Sunday in October.Popularly referred to as the...
.
Bred by Sunderland Holdings Ltd, the breeding operation of the Tsui family, he is a half brother to Epsom Derby
Epsom Derby
The Derby Stakes, popularly known as The Derby, internationally as the Epsom Derby, and under its present sponsor as the Investec Derby, is a Group 1 flat horse race in Great Britain open to three-year-old thoroughbred colts and fillies...
winner Galileo
Galileo (horse)
Galileo is a retired Irish Thoroughbred racehorse and active sire. He is best known for winning the Epsom Derby, Irish Derby Stakes, and King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes in 2001 and for his rivalry with the Godolphin champion Fantastic Light...
, both being sons of Arc winner Urban Sea
Urban Sea
Urban Sea was a French Thoroughbred racemare best known for winning France's most prestigious race in 1993 and for her importance as a world class broodmare. She is one of only two mares to ever produce two Epsom Derby winners, namely Galileo and Sea the Stars...
.
2 Year Old Racing Career
Sea The Stars started his racing career at the CurraghCurragh
The Curragh is a flat open plain of almost 5,000 acres of common land in County Kildare, Ireland, between Newbridge and Kildare. This area is well-known for Irish horse breeding and training. The Irish National Stud is located on the edge of Kildare town, beside the famous Japanese Gardens. Also...
in July 2008. Still very green and boxed in in the final furlong, he finished a close fourth behind subsequent US Grade 1 winner Driving Snow.
He won his second race easily at Leopardstown
Leopardstown
Leopardstown is a district in Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown County, Ireland, located at the foot of the Dublin Mountains. A residential suburb of the greater Dublin area, it is divided by the course of the M50 motorway, and adjoins the neighbouring areas of Sandyford, Stepaside, Ballyogan, Foxrock and...
by 2½ lengths, taking the lead 2 furlongs out and never being threatened.
In the last race of his 2 year old campaign, Sea The Stars won the Group 2 2008 Beresford Stakes
Beresford Stakes
The Beresford Stakes is a Group 2 flat horse race in Ireland which is open to two-year-old thoroughbreds. It is run at the Curragh over a distance of 1 mile , and it is scheduled to take place each year in September or October....
at the Curragh
Curragh
The Curragh is a flat open plain of almost 5,000 acres of common land in County Kildare, Ireland, between Newbridge and Kildare. This area is well-known for Irish horse breeding and training. The Irish National Stud is located on the edge of Kildare town, beside the famous Japanese Gardens. Also...
by ½ length from stablemate Mourayan and Ballydoyle's Masterofthehorse. This turned out to be his closest race.
3 Year Old Racing Career
Sea The Stars would complete a perfect three year old campaign, winning six Group I races in six months, including two English Classic races and one French Classic race. His three year old record is described by many as the best of modern thoroughbred racing.2000 Guineas
Rested over the winter, John Oxx entered him into the 2009 2,000 Guineas without a prep race. Despite this, he started 8-1 in the betting behind the Craven Stakes
Craven Stakes
The Craven Stakes is a Group 3 flat horse race in Great Britain which is open to three-year-old thoroughbred colts and geldings. It is run on the Rowley Mile at Newmarket over a distance of 1 mile , and it is scheduled to take place each year in mid April.The event serves as a trial for the first...
winner Delegator (3/1f). There were concerns about his preparations because of a setback on 17 March due to a viral infection and a temperature. He rested for 2 weeks, which hampered his preparation for the Guineas. However John Oxx
John Oxx
John M. Oxx is a trainer of Thoroughbred racehorses. His stables are located on "The Curragh" of Kildare, the stables are named Currabeg Stables. His father, John Oxx Sr., was also a very successful trainer who won eight Irish classics and it was the younger Oxx's ambition to follow in his...
still wanted to give him his chance at a mile and a good workout the week prior to the race encouraged Oxx to declare him.
Travelling well throughout the race, he pulled clear of the field in the final furlong winning by one length from the favourite, with Gan Amhras ¾ of a length behind in third.
Michael Kinane
Michael Kinane
Michael J. Kinane is a former flat racing jockey. He had a 34-year career, retiring on 8 December 2009....
, winning his fourth 2,000 Guineas, later commented: "He's a classy horse and we've waited for him all winter. He's been crying out for this ground."
Epsom Derby
Despite doubts about his stamina and a strong field, notably from Ballydoyle
Ballydoyle
Ballydoyle is a racehorse training facility located in County Tipperary in Ireland. It is a sister thoroughbred facility to Coolmore Stud, and both are owned by John Magnier...
who fielded six of the twelve runners, Sea The Stars won the 2009 Epsom Derby
Epsom Derby
The Derby Stakes, popularly known as The Derby, internationally as the Epsom Derby, and under its present sponsor as the Investec Derby, is a Group 1 flat horse race in Great Britain open to three-year-old thoroughbred colts and fillies...
beating the favourite Fame And Glory, and Masterofthehorse (making it a 1-2-3 to Ireland). Racing prominently behind the pacemakers, Sea The Stars traveled very well and slowly reeled in the leader from three furlongs out, taking the lead with 1 furlongs to go and keeping the lead all the way to the finish. Mick Kinane (winning his third derby two weeks shy of his 50th birthday) said of the winner "I was going so easy all the way, it was as if we were going in slow motion."
Eclipse Stakes
Sea the Stars was scratched from the 2009 Irish Derby due to the track conditions, but went on to win the Eclipse Stakes
Eclipse Stakes
The Eclipse Stakes is a Group 1 flat horse race in Great Britain open to thoroughbreds aged three years or older. It is run at Sandown Park over a distance of 1 mile, 2 furlongs and 7 yards , and it is scheduled to take place each year in early July.-History:The event is named after Eclipse, a...
at Sandown Park
Sandown Park
Sandown Park is a horse racing course and leisure venue in Esher, Surrey, England, in the outer suburbs of London. It hosts one Group 1 flat race, the Eclipse Stakes. It regularly has horse racing during afternoons, evenings and on weekends, and also hosts many non racing events such as trade...
a week later. Always travelling well, he overtook the fading pacemakers early down the straight, forcing Kinane to commit earlier than expected. Rip Van Winkle came with a strong challenge two furlongs out, but Sea The Stars fought him off with a surge of acceleration, winning readily by one and a half lengths, with 2008 Breeders' Cup Turf
Breeders' Cup Turf
The Breeders' Cup Turf is a Weight for Age Thoroughbred horse race on turf for three-year-olds and up. It is held annually at a different racetrack in the United States or Canada as part of the Breeders' Cup World Championships. The race's current title sponsor is Emirates Airlines.The forerunner...
winner Conduit
Conduit (horse)
Conduit is a retired Thoroughbred racehorse and active sire. In a career that lasted from August 2007 to November 2009 he won seven of his fifteen starts, including four at Group One/Grade I level....
five lengths behind in third.
International Stakes
In August 2009, Sea the Stars won the Juddmonte International Stakes
International Stakes
The International Stakes is a Group 1 flat horse race in Great Britain open to thoroughbreds aged three years or older. It is run at York over a distance of 1 mile, 2 furlongs and 88 yards , and it is scheduled to take place each year in August....
at York
York Racecourse
York Racecourse is a horse racing track in the southwest of the city of York in North Yorkshire, England with a spectator capacity of 60,000. The most famous race to be held at York on an annual basis is the Ebor Handicap, which is run during the Ebor Festival meeting in August...
. Scaring off most of the opposition, only four horses were left in the race, three of them from Ballydoyle. Mastercraftsman, winner of four Group I races including the Irish 2000 Guineas
Irish 2000 Guineas
The Irish 2,000 Guineas is a Group 1 flat horse race in Ireland open to three-year-old thoroughbred colts and fillies. It is run at the Curragh over a distance of 1 mile , and it is scheduled to take place each year in May.-History:...
and the St. James's Palace Stakes
St. James's Palace Stakes
The St. James's Palace Stakes is a Group 1 flat horse race in Great Britain open to three-year-old thoroughbred colts. It is run at Ascot over a distance of 1 mile , and it is scheduled to take place each year in June....
at Ascot, was the main opposition with the two others acting as pacemakers. Tracking Mastercraftsman throughout the race, Kinane followed Johnny Murtagh through a narrowing gap created by the two pacemakers at the beginning of the straight. Sea The Stars powered past Mastercraftsman in the last furlong, taking the Group I race by a length, breaking the track record by 0.8 seconds in doing so.
Irish Champion Stakes
Next was the Irish Champion Stakes
Irish Champion Stakes
The Irish Champion Stakes is a Group 1 flat horse race in Ireland which is open to thoroughbreds aged three years or older. It is run at Leopardstown over a distance of 1 mile and 2 furlongs , and it is scheduled to take place each year in September.-History:The event was established in 1976, and...
at Leopardstown
Leopardstown
Leopardstown is a district in Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown County, Ireland, located at the foot of the Dublin Mountains. A residential suburb of the greater Dublin area, it is divided by the course of the M50 motorway, and adjoins the neighbouring areas of Sandyford, Stepaside, Ballyogan, Foxrock and...
in September 2009. His first appearance in front of his home crowd since 2008, the race was billed as a clash between Sea The Stars and Fame and Glory
Fame and Glory
Fame and Glory is a thoroughbred horse from Ireland. Sired by Montjeu from the dam Gryada, Fame and Glory is a grandson of Sadler's Wells....
, who since finishing second in the Epsom Derby
Epsom Derby
The Derby Stakes, popularly known as The Derby, internationally as the Epsom Derby, and under its present sponsor as the Investec Derby, is a Group 1 flat horse race in Great Britain open to three-year-old thoroughbred colts and fillies...
had won the Irish Derby by five lengths and been rested for two months. The race was highly anticipated as the rematch during the Irish Derby was postponed due to ground conditions. Turning into the straight, Johnny Murtagh on board of Fame and Glory took the initiative and got first run on Sea The Stars. A patient Kinane stayed on Murtagh's heels and with a powerful burst of speed went easily past Fame and Glory two furlongs out to win by two and a half lengths. Mastercraftsman, finished third another two and a half lengths behind Fame and Glory. After his win in the Irish Champion Stakes, Sea the Stars was awarded a 140 Timeform
Timeform
Timeform Publications is a publishing company in Halifax, West Yorkshire, England founded in 1948 to provide information to fans, bettors, and others involved in the horse racing industry...
Rating.
Prix de L'Arc de Triomphe
On October 4, 2009, six months since his win in the 2000 Guineas, Sea The Stars lined up as the odds-on favourite for Europe's most prestigious All-aged race, the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe
Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe
The Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe is a Group 1 flat horse race in France which is open to thoroughbreds aged three years or older. It is run at Longchamp over a distance of 2,400 metres , and it is scheduled to take place each year, usually on the first Sunday in October.Popularly referred to as the...
in France. A large field of nineteen runners along with a long and difficult season were major concerns, many thinking this was one race too far. The race featured nine other Group I winners, including the unbeaten French filly Stacelita
Stacelita
Stacelita is a Thoroughbred racehorse based in France. She was bred by Jean-Pierre Dubois. She is co-owned by Martin Schwartz and Ecurie Monastic and is trained by Jean-Claude Rouget. She has been ridden by Christophe Lemaire in four of her ten starts but her rider in her three races in 2010 has...
, the Yorkshire Oaks
Yorkshire Oaks
The Yorkshire Oaks is a Group 1 flat horse race in Great Britain open to thoroughbred fillies and mares aged three years or older. It is run at York over a distance of 1 mile and 4 furlongs , and it is scheduled to take place each year in August....
and Pretty Polly Stakes winner Dar Re Mi
Dar Re Mi
Dar Re Mi is a Thoroughbred racehorse owned by Andrew Lloyd Webber and trained by John Gosden. Dar Re Mi is a daughter of Singspiel out of the mare Darara. Singspiel is one of the most successful stallions in the world and his other top horses include Hibaayeb and Moon Ballad. Dar Re Mi notably...
, the Irish Derby winner Fame and Glory
Fame and Glory
Fame and Glory is a thoroughbred horse from Ireland. Sired by Montjeu from the dam Gryada, Fame and Glory is a grandson of Sadler's Wells....
, the 2008 St Leger Stakes, 2008 Breeders' Cup Turf
Breeders' Cup Turf
The Breeders' Cup Turf is a Weight for Age Thoroughbred horse race on turf for three-year-olds and up. It is held annually at a different racetrack in the United States or Canada as part of the Breeders' Cup World Championships. The race's current title sponsor is Emirates Airlines.The forerunner...
and King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes winner Conduit
Conduit (horse)
Conduit is a retired Thoroughbred racehorse and active sire. In a career that lasted from August 2007 to November 2009 he won seven of his fifteen starts, including four at Group One/Grade I level....
, the Prince of Wales's Stakes
Prince of Wales's Stakes
The Prince of Wales's Stakes is a Group 1 flat horse race in Great Britain open to thoroughbreds aged four years or older. It is run at Ascot over a distance of 1 mile and 2 furlongs , and it is scheduled to take place each year in June....
winner Vision d'Etat
Vision d'Etat
Vision d'Etat is a French Thoroughbred racehorse. Sired by Group One winner Chichicastenango and out of the mare Uberaba, he was bought for €39,000 by Jacques Detre and trainer Eric Libaud's wife, Vicky....
, the Grand Prix de Paris
Grand Prix de Paris
The Grand Prix de Paris is a Group 1 flat horse race in France open to three-year-old thoroughbred colts and fillies. It is run at Longchamp over a distance of 2,400 metres , and it is scheduled to take place each year in July.-History:...
and Prix Niel
Prix Niel
The Prix Niel is a Group 2 flat horse race in France which is open to three-year-old thoroughbred colts and fillies. It is run at Longchamp over a distance of 2,400 metres , and it is scheduled to take place each year in September....
winner Cavalryman and the 2 times Arc runner up Youmzain
Youmzain
Youmzain is a Thoroughbred racehorse. Trained by Mick Channon, he won Preis von Europa and Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud group 1 races in 2008. Most notably, he is three-time runner-up in Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe; in 2007 behind Dylan Thomas, in 2008 behind Zarkava, and in 2009 behind Sea The Stars.-...
. Quickly out of the stalls, Sea The Stars pulled very hard for the first two furlongs, was bumped and dropped back down the field. Kinane was able to settle him and raced on in eighth and ninth position throughout the race. Turning into the straight, Sea The Stars stayed on the rail and seemed boxed in and in trouble. As the principals started to pick up Kinane was able to find a gap and challenged Stacelita alongside Dar Re Mi. Sea The Stars then produced a decisive turn of foot and went clear in a matter of strides. After going three lengths clear half a furlong out, he was eased down, winning by two lengths. He thus became the only horse to have won the 2,000 Guineas, Epsom Derby
Epsom Derby
The Derby Stakes, popularly known as The Derby, internationally as the Epsom Derby, and under its present sponsor as the Investec Derby, is a Group 1 flat horse race in Great Britain open to three-year-old thoroughbred colts and fillies...
, and the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe
Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe
The Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe is a Group 1 flat horse race in France which is open to thoroughbreds aged three years or older. It is run at Longchamp over a distance of 2,400 metres , and it is scheduled to take place each year, usually on the first Sunday in October.Popularly referred to as the...
in the same year.
Sea the Stars took all the available major awards across Europe, including Champion 3 Year Old and Horse of the Year at the Cartier Racing Awards, Champion 3 Year Old and Horse of the Year at the Racehorse Owners Association Awards and Horse of the Year at the Irish Horse Racing Awards.
Stud career
His retirement was announced on 13 October 2009 by trainer John OxxJohn Oxx
John M. Oxx is a trainer of Thoroughbred racehorses. His stables are located on "The Curragh" of Kildare, the stables are named Currabeg Stables. His father, John Oxx Sr., was also a very successful trainer who won eight Irish classics and it was the younger Oxx's ambition to follow in his...
.
On October 27, 2009, it was announced that Sea The Stars would stand at the Aga Khan's Gilltown Stud in Ireland. The 2008 Prix De l'Arc de Triomphe winner Zarkava was among the first mares booked to be covered by him.
On March 6, 2010, it was announced that Sea The Stars had his first five mares checked in foal. Among those is Zarkasha of the unbeaten Zarkava. The other notable mares includes Bordighera - dam 2000 Guineas winner George Washington, the 2009 winner of the Darley Prix Jean Romanet (Fr-I) Alpine Rose, Centreofattention, a full sister to Irish Group 1 winner Holy Roman Emperor, and Seward’s Folly, the dam of Group 2 winner Sayif.
, Sea The Stars has covered 140 mares.
On January 23 2011, it was reported that two days previously his first foal had been born to the Australian horse Centreofattention at Castlebridge Stud in Ireland. The owner of Castlebridge Stud said "We are delighted to have had the first Sea the Stars foal born, he looks a smashing colt with plenty of size and scope."
He currently stands for €85,000.
Pedigree
Sea The Stars is by the top class European Miler Cape CrossCape Cross (horse)
Cape Cross is an Irish-bred Thoroughbred racehorse, winner of the Lockinge Stakes, Queen Anne Stakes and Celebration Mile...
, winner of the Lockinge Stakes
Lockinge Stakes
The Lockinge Stakes is a Group 1 flat horse race in Great Britain open to thoroughbreds aged four years or older. It is run at Newbury over a distance of 1 mile , and it is scheduled to take place each year in May.-History:...
, Celebration Mile
Celebration Mile
The Celebration Mile is a Group 2 flat horse race in Great Britain which is open to thoroughbreds aged three years or older. It is run at Goodwood over a distance of 1 mile , and it is scheduled to take place each year in late August....
and Queen Anne Stakes
Queen Anne Stakes
The Queen Anne Stakes is a Group 1 flat horse race in Great Britain open to thoroughbreds aged four years or older. It is run at Ascot over a distance of 1 mile , and it is scheduled to take place each year in June....
in the UK. Since retiring to stud, he has sired the winners of 19 Group 1 races worldwide, including Ouija Board (winner of Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf
Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf
The Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf is a Weight for Age Thoroughbred horse race on turf for fillies and mares, three years old and up. It is held annually at a different racetrack in the United States as part of the Breeders' Cup World Championships....
(twice) and Epsom Oaks
Epsom Oaks
The Oaks Stakes is a Group 1 flat horse race in Great Britain open to three-year-old thoroughbred fillies. It is run at Epsom Downs over a distance of 1 mile, 4 furlongs and 10 yards , and it is scheduled to take place each year in early June....
). He currently stands at Kildangan Stud in Ireland.
Urban Sea
Urban Sea
Urban Sea was a French Thoroughbred racemare best known for winning France's most prestigious race in 1993 and for her importance as a world class broodmare. She is one of only two mares to ever produce two Epsom Derby winners, namely Galileo and Sea the Stars...
, Sea the Stars' dam, was the winner of France's most prestigious race, the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe
Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe
The Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe is a Group 1 flat horse race in France which is open to thoroughbreds aged three years or older. It is run at Longchamp over a distance of 2,400 metres , and it is scheduled to take place each year, usually on the first Sunday in October.Popularly referred to as the...
. She is also one of the top broodmares of her generation. Sea The Stars is half brother to a number of stakes and group winners including: Galileo
Galileo (horse)
Galileo is a retired Irish Thoroughbred racehorse and active sire. He is best known for winning the Epsom Derby, Irish Derby Stakes, and King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes in 2001 and for his rivalry with the Godolphin champion Fantastic Light...
(1998 colt by Sadler's Wells
Sadler's Wells (horse)
Sadler's Wells was a Thoroughbred racehorse that was later a leading sire in France, Great Britain & Ireland and North America during the 1990s. He was foaled in 1981 in the United States, but achieved most of his racing and breeding fame in Europe....
), winner of Epsom Derby
Epsom Derby
The Derby Stakes, popularly known as The Derby, internationally as the Epsom Derby, and under its present sponsor as the Investec Derby, is a Group 1 flat horse race in Great Britain open to three-year-old thoroughbred colts and fillies...
, Irish Derby and the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes and voted European Champion Three-Year-Old
Cartier Racing Award
The Cartier Racing Awards are awards in European horse racing, founded in 1991, and sponsored by Cartier jewelers. The award winners are decided by points earned in group races plus the votes cast by British racing journalists and readers of the Racing Post and Daily Telegraph newspapers.Eight...
; Black Sam Bellamy (2000 colt by Sadler's Wells
Sadler's Wells (horse)
Sadler's Wells was a Thoroughbred racehorse that was later a leading sire in France, Great Britain & Ireland and North America during the 1990s. He was foaled in 1981 in the United States, but achieved most of his racing and breeding fame in Europe....
), winner of the Gran Premio del Jockey Club
Gran Premio del Jockey Club
The Gran Premio del Jockey Club is a Group 1 flat horse race in Italy which is open to thoroughbreds aged three years or older. It is run at San Siro, Milan, over a distance of 2,400 metres , and it is scheduled to take place each year in October.Past winners of the event include Tenerani and...
and Tattersalls Gold Cup
Tattersalls Gold Cup
The Tattersalls Gold Cup is a Group 1 flat horse race in Ireland open to thoroughbreds aged four years or older. It is run at the Curragh over a distance of 1 mile, 2 furlongs and 110 yards , and it is scheduled to take place each year in May....
; All Too Beautiful (2001 filly by Sadler's Wells
Sadler's Wells (horse)
Sadler's Wells was a Thoroughbred racehorse that was later a leading sire in France, Great Britain & Ireland and North America during the 1990s. He was foaled in 1981 in the United States, but achieved most of his racing and breeding fame in Europe....
), second in the Oaks
Epsom Oaks
The Oaks Stakes is a Group 1 flat horse race in Great Britain open to three-year-old thoroughbred fillies. It is run at Epsom Downs over a distance of 1 mile, 4 furlongs and 10 yards , and it is scheduled to take place each year in early June....
; and, My Typhoon
My Typhoon
My Typhoon is an American Thoroughbred racehorse whom the NTRA calls "one of the world's best-bred horses."Bred in Ireland by David Tsui's Sunderland Holdings, she was sired by Giant's Causeway, a son of Storm Cat whose stud fee in 2006 became the highest in the world at $500,000...
(2002 filly by Giant's Causeway
Giant's Causeway (horse)
Giant's Causeway is a Kentucky-bred thoroughbred racehorse who competed primarily in Europe. In 2000, he won five straight Group One races. His performance that year earned him European Horse of the Year honors....
), winner of Diana Handicap
Diana Handicap
The Diana Stakes is an American Thoroughbred horse race. Named for the mythological goddess Diana, the race is run each year at Saratoga Race Course in Saratoga Springs, New York. Inaugurated in 1939, it is open to fillies and mares age three and up willing to race the one and one-eighth miles on...
. Urban Sea is one of only two mares to ever produce two Epsom Derby winners, namely Galileo and Sea the Stars.