Proud Oxx calls time on Stars’ career
SEA THE STARS, the brilliant Irish colt who completed a unique treble in landing the 2,000 Guineas, the Derby and Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe, was hailed yesterday after being retired to stud by his connections.
The six-time Group One winner, trained by John Oxx, was being lined up for next month’s Breeders’ Cup Classic in California, but owner Christopher Tsui believes the three-year-old supercolt has nothing left to prove.
Sea The Stars lost just one of his nine races in his two years on the track, winning Group One races in every month from May until October under veteran jockey Mick Kinane.
His superb victory in the Arc at Longchamp earlier this month took his total prize money to almost £4.5m and prompted comparisons with legends such as Dancing Brave and Mill Reef. But Oxx hinted at the time that it could be the horse’s final hurrah, and confirmed the news in a statement yesterday.
“He’s had a long season and has been in regular fast work from 3 March, with his final workout on 2 October,” Oxx explained. “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.
“He is now retiring from racing, but I have no information on stud career details and an announcement will be made at a much later date when plans have been finalised.”