JOHN Oxx hailed Sea The Stars' speed as his main attribute on the day the six-time Group 1 winner retired from racing, with a career at stud now planned.
The colt, owned by Christopher Tsui, enjoyed an incredible season including victories in the 2000 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 Bree
ders' 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. 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."
The three-year-old, a son of Cape Cross, 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 8-1 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 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 certain – it will be a long time before we see his like again.
