It's official - Sea The Stars best in 25 years

SEA THE Stars has been officially rated the best racehorse trained in Ireland in the last quarter of a century, writes Brian O’Connor. John Oxx’s superstar colt has been officially rated on a handicap figure of 135 by the International Federation of Horseracing Authorities, a massive 5lb clear of the French filly Goldikova.

The next two on the list of the world’s highest-rated horses are the Aidan O’Brien duo of Fame And Glory and Rip Van Winkle who are both on 129.

Another Ballydoyle star, Mastercraftsman, is on 125, the same mark awarded to the American star fillies Rachel Alexandra and Zenyatta.

“Sea The Stars’ rating makes him the equal of St Jovite (1992) and the best colt trained in Ireland since El Gran Senor (138) back in 1984,” said the senior Irish handicapper, Garry O’Gorman, yesterday.

“The four best three year olds in the world are all trained here in Ireland which is an outstanding achievement for a small country,” he added.

“What is especially exciting is that all four horses still appear to be on the upgrade.”

In other news the future of the hotel gifted to the Turf Club by the Aga Khan appears to be in doubt with reports indicating the Stand House Hotel at the back of the Curragh racecourse is facing closure.

The Aga Khan’s gesture, which is believed to have cost him €15 million, was in order to allow the redevelopment of the Curragh racecourse, a €100 million project that is now on the backburner due to the downturn in the economy.

The Turf Club chief executive Denis Egan confirmed yesterday that hotel staff have been informed of possible closure but said: “Over the next four weeks we will be discussing things with them to see if there is any realistic alternative to closing.”

He blamed the downturn in business generally for the move. The Turf Club runs the facility under the name of Curragh Racecourse Hospitality Ltd.

Termagant has been put away for the season following her victory in the Moyglare Stud Stakes. The Kevin Prendergast-trained filly produced a 16 to 1 surprise in the Group One contest at the Curragh two weeks ago.

Her first main objective in 2010 will be the Irish 1000 Guineas back at the Curragh next spring.

“She’s retired for the season, she won’t run until next year now,” said the Friarstown handler. “That will be her early aim then after that we’ll monitor how she gets on.”

Seta’s lofty reputation took a big hit at Doncaster yesterday as the former 1,000 Guineas ante-post favourite met with a shock defeat behind Pollenator in the DFS May Hill Stakes.

The Luca Cumani-trained Pivotal filly failed to pick up after holding every chance inside the two-furlong marker, never threatening to repeat her sensational eight-length debut success at Newmarket last month.

Instead it was Ryan Moore who burst through on the recent Newmarket winner, going away in the closing stages to record a half-length success over Hibaayeb, with 4 to 7 favourite Seta a length further back in third.

Totesport pushed Seta out to 16 to 1 from 8s for the Guineas.

An exhibition of the life and times of Vincent O’Brien will be on display at the Curragh this weekend.

The legendary trainer, who died earlier this year, is honoured by the renaming of the Ladbrokes.com Vincent O’Brien National Stakes.

Many of his closest associates including Lester Piggott, Pat Eddery and Peter O’Sullevan are hoping to attend.

Memorabilia in the exhibition include trophies won by some of his star horses as well as paintings, photographs, old race footage and the saddles used by Piggott when he won the 2,000 Guineas on Nijinsky and the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe on Alleged.

O’Brien’s wife, Jacqueline, said: “Vincent enjoyed some of his greatest successes at the Curragh. The National Stakes was always a race held in high esteem by him as a target for his top two-year-olds.

“The family are delighted that the racecourse will honour his memory in this way and I know Vincent would have been very proud to have his name associated with this race.”