Sea The Stars: A Thoroughbred Legend
In the world of horse racing, there are champions, and then there are legends. Few horses have ever dominated the sport with the sheer brilliance and consistency of Sea The Stars. With an unbeaten three-year-old campaign that saw him conquer the best of his generation across six Group 1 races, Sea The Stars etched his name into racing history as one of the greatest Thoroughbreds of all time.
The Making of a Champion
Breeding & Pedigree
Born on April 6, 2006, Sea The Stars was bred in Ireland by the legendary Aga Khan Studs. He was the product of an exceptional bloodline, being sired by the great Cape Cross, a top-class miler and sire of another phenomenal racehorse, Golden Horn. His dam, Urban Sea, was a Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe winner and also the mother of Galileo, one of the greatest sires in modern history.
With a pedigree like that, expectations were high from the very start, and Sea The Stars certainly lived up to his remarkable lineage. He was trained by John Oxx in Ireland and owned by Christopher Tsui, a Hong Kong businessman whose family had long been involved in horse racing.
Early Career: The Two-Year-Old Season
Sea The Stars made his racecourse debut in July 2008 at The Curragh, finishing fourth in a maiden race. However, he quickly improved and won his next race, a seven-furlong maiden, at Leopardstown in impressive style. His final race as a two-year-old came in the Group 2 Beresford Stakes, where he showcased his class by securing victory over a strong field.
While his two-year-old campaign was relatively low-key, it was clear that Sea The Stars possessed immense potential. However, few could have predicted just how dominant he would become at three.
The Historic Three-Year-Old Season
Sea The Stars' three-year-old campaign in 2009 is widely regarded as one of the most outstanding seasons in the history of horse racing. He won six consecutive Group 1 races, an achievement rarely seen in the sport.
2009 2,000 Guineas – Newmarket (May 2, 2009)
Sea The Stars began his three-year-old season by contesting the first Classic of the year, the 2,000 Guineas at Newmarket. Despite concerns about whether he would have the speed to compete with specialist milers, he silenced any doubts with a powerful performance. Under jockey Mick Kinane, he quickened superbly to defeat Delegator, showcasing his acceleration and stamina.
Winning the Guineas proved that Sea The Stars was a horse of immense talent, but what followed in the coming months would elevate him to legendary status.
2009 Epsom Derby – Epsom (June 6, 2009)
Despite his Guineas win, some questioned whether Sea The Stars would have the stamina to handle the 1m 4f trip in the Epsom Derby, one of the most demanding races in the world. However, he dismissed any doubts with an outstanding performance, showing his versatility by settling beautifully before powering home to beat Fame and Glory by a comfortable margin.
By winning both the 2,000 Guineas and Epsom Derby, Sea The Stars became the first horse since Nashwan (1989) to achieve this rare Classic double.
2009 Coral-Eclipse – Sandown (July 4, 2009)
After proving himself in the English Classics, Sea The Stars faced older horses for the first time in the Eclipse Stakes at Sandown. Racing against the likes of Rip Van Winkle, he once again demonstrated his class, showing a breathtaking turn of foot to win decisively.
With this victory, Sea The Stars became the first horse in history to win the 2,000 Guineas, Epsom Derby, and Eclipse Stakes in the same season—a remarkable feat.
2009 Juddmonte International – York (August 18, 2009)
Next up was the Juddmonte International Stakes at York, where Sea The Stars faced a strong field, including the Irish Derby winner Mastercraftsman. Despite the challenge, he once again produced a dominant performance, taking control of the race in the final furlong to win comfortably.
With four Group 1 victories already under his belt, Sea The Stars was proving himself to be a true superstar, and his momentum showed no signs of stopping.
2009 Irish Champion Stakes – Leopardstown (September 5, 2009)
Returning to Ireland, Sea The Stars lined up for the Irish Champion Stakes, where he faced one of his toughest challenges yet—Fame and Glory, the horse he had beaten in the Derby. Once again, he showed his class, overcoming a strong challenge to secure another emphatic victory.
By now, there was little doubt that Sea The Stars was one of the greatest horses ever seen. But he still had one final challenge left.
2009 Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe – Longchamp (October 4, 2009)
The Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe is Europe’s most prestigious race, attracting the best horses from around the world. Sea The Stars entered the race as the overwhelming favorite, but the heavy ground and large field of 19 runners posed a serious test.
Despite being boxed in for much of the race, Sea The Stars showed incredible composure and class. As the field turned for home, jockey Mick Kinane found a gap, and Sea The Stars exploded into action, effortlessly powering past his rivals to win the Arc in breathtaking style.
With this victory, he achieved something truly unprecedented—winning the 2,000 Guineas, Epsom Derby, Eclipse, Juddmonte International, Irish Champion Stakes, and Arc in the same season. No other horse in history has managed to complete such a remarkable campaign.
Retirement & Legacy
Following his Arc de Triomphe triumph, Sea The Stars was retired to stud at the Aga Khan’s Gilltown Stud in Ireland. His retirement was met with sadness from racing fans, but he had nothing left to prove—he had already cemented his place among the all-time greats.
As a stallion, Sea The Stars has continued his legacy, siring multiple Group 1 winners, including:
- Harzand (Epsom Derby & Irish Derby winner)
- Stradivarius (multiple Gold Cup winner)
- Baaeed (undefeated superstar)
- Sea Of Class (Irish Oaks & Yorkshire Oaks winner)
His influence on the sport continues to grow, and his progeny have inherited much of his speed, stamina, and class.
Conclusion: One of the Greatest of All Time
Sea The Stars’ 2009 season remains unmatched in the history of horse racing. His ability to win at the highest level across a range of distances, against the best horses in the world, makes him one of the greatest Thoroughbreds of all time.
His perfect combination of speed, stamina, acceleration, and temperament allowed him to achieve an unbeaten three-year-old campaign that may never be equaled.
For racing fans, Sea The Stars is not just a champion—he is a true legend.
