Oxx hails Sea The Stars' speed

JOHN OXX hailed Sea The Stars’ speed as his main attribute yesterday when the six-time Group One winner retired from racing.

The Cape Cross colt enjoyed an incredible season, including victories in Newmarket’s 2,000 Guineas, the Derby at Epsom and most recently the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe, but connections opted against letting him have one final foray in the Breeders’ Cup Classic.

“They have all been major races and every one was important in its own right,” Oxx said.

“You win the Guineas and you win the Derby and the anxiety builds up as the year goes on, so every race brought tremendous relief when it was over.

“The way he ran in the Derby was a joy to watch, the way he handled the track and came down the hill.

“After that the horse developed a great public following and everyone quickly recognised they were watching something special.

“His success was down to a combination of everything, but the main thing is his speed. He has tremendous cruising speed.

“Ballydoyle and Aidan O’Brien tried their best to make it tough for him with pacemakers, but they could never get him off the bridle.

“He can just travel off any pace totally at ease and then he can quicken up off it.

“I suppose he’s got great heart and lungs, but he’s got this beautiful balance and lovely stride.

“He’s a close-coupled horse in one way but very long in another and he has this tremendous athletic stride.

“Then there is his temperament and it is courage and temperament that bring the good horses to a different level,” Oxx said.

The three-year-old lost just one of his nine races during his two years on the track – in which he amassed nearly £4.5million in prize money – and that was his racecourse debut at the Curragh where he finished a close-up fourth.

He then won his maiden on unfavourably soft ground before landing the Grade Two Beresford Stakes, hinting at what was to come this year.

Sent off at 8 to 1 for the Guineas at Newmarket, he beat hot favourite Delegator by a length and a half and became the first horse since Nashwan 20 years ago to follow up in the Derby, where he beat Fame And Glory by a length and three-quarters.

The Eclipse was next at Sandown where he beat subsequent Sussex Stakes and QEII winner Rip Van Winkle, with St Leger and Breeders’ Cup Turf winner Conduit way back in third.

At York in the Juddmonte International, he scared everyone bar O’Brien away to make it four Group Ones in a row and followed up in the Irish Champion Stakes at Leopardstown, beating old rival Fame And Glory.

But his crowning glory came at Longchamp when he landed Europe’s premier middle-distance race, overcoming trouble in running and a high-class field to win eased-down in the Arc.

His performance sparked comparisons with the likes of Dancing Brave, Mill Reef and Sea Bird.

Although no definitive answer will ever be reached, one thing is for sure – it will be a long time before we see his like again.

Oxx earlier confirmed: “It has been decided after discussions with Mr Christopher Tsui (owner) that Sea The Stars will not take part in the Breeders’ Cup at Santa Anita on November 7th.

“He’s had a long season and has been in regular fast work from March 3rd, with his final work-out on October 2nd.

“He’s been in intensive training for seven months with only a three-week break after the Eclipse Stakes at the beginning of July.

“We feel it is unfair to keep him going any further given his unprecedented record of achievement in the last six months.”

Stars facts - Career overview

Sire:Cape Cross. Dam:Urban Sea. Age:Three. Foaled:April 6th, 2006. Owner:Christopher Tsui. Trainer:John M Oxx. Jockey:Michael Kinane.

2008

EBF Maiden, Curragh, July 13th:Debut and the only race he has ever lost.

EBF Maiden, Leopardstown, August 17th:Gets off the mark in good style.

Juddmonte Beresford Stakes, Curragh, September 28th:First Group success. 2009

2000 Guineas, Newmarket, May 2nd:Easily defeats pre-race favourite Delegator by a length and a half.

Derby Stakes, Epsom, June 6th:Produces a performance of remarkable quality to put his rivals to the sword, travelling supremely well throughout.

Coral-Eclipse Stakes, Sandown, July 4th:His third Group One of the season:

Juddmonte Stakes, York, August 18th, August:Mastercraftsman kicks clear in the home straight but is inevitably reeled in and passed.

Irish Champion Stakes, Leopardstown, September 5th, 2009:Defeats Fame And Glory by two and a half lengths.

Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe, Longchamp, October 4th:Undoubtedly the crowning glory of a monumental career.