The Stallion “Sea The Stars” and the Thoroughbred Breeding Operation
The Stallion “Sea The Stars” and the Thoroughbred Breeding Operation
Sea The Stars The thoroughbred galloped into the history books this year by becoming the first horse to win the 2000 Guineas, Derby and Arc in the same season.
The Irish colt, still only three years old, has now been retired – but there’s plenty of important work still to be done.
Because the horse is set to rake in up to £650,000 a week as a stud, almost three times Ronaldo’s £218,000 weekly salary.
He is quite possibly the greatest racehorse to ever grace the turf – but he’ll win no prizes for modesty.
His trainer John Oxx laughs: “He walks just like a ballet dancer. The way he postures himself, the way he looks down at the other horses, he knows he’s better than them. He’s very smart – he’s sussed out that he’s the far superior athlete.
“It’s the same at a race. As soon as he arrives, he whinnies and shouts, just to let the other horses know he’s arrived. None of the other horses do it. It’s an intimidating tactic. It’s like he’s telling them, ‘I’m here, boys, I’m the best, now watch me’.
“On the track, too, he treats the opposition with disdain. He’s never won by a wide margin because, when he knows he’s won, he slows down, just to taunt the other horses. His jockey said he’s never experienced anything quite like it.
“He just knows he’s so much better than any of them, he’s in control and nobody can beat him.”
In just two years’ racing, the stallion has amassed £4.5million in prize money.
With countless wealthy horse breeders willing to pay whatever it takes for him to “cover” their mare, Sea The Stars has been hailed as the first £100million horse.
And he’s treated accordingly. In his padded quarters at the stables of John Oxx, Sea The Stars enjoys a life of luxury.
A team of attendants is on hand day and night to top up his water, refresh the carpet of hay he sleeps on and change his quilted rug if he gets too hot or cold.
His stablemates look on in equine envy as he is fussed over with full-body massages, warm showers, gentle groomings, rub-downs and manicures.
And as he steps out for his first work-out, a gentle walk with his rider around an exercise shed at 7am, the fastest, most graceful, most skilful horse in the world has a definite Ronaldo swagger about him.
With his formidable pedigree, Sea The Stars has every reason to feel smug. His mother, Urban Sea, also won the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe in 1993, making her only the second mare to win and foal a winner of France’s most prestigious race.
His father, Galileo, won the Irish Derby and Epsom Derby in 2001 and has so far sired an impressive 11 Group One winners.
His name, Sea The Stars, was chosen by Chinese owner Christopher Tsui to reflect his father’s astronomical namesake, and the Chinese superstition that incorporating part of the mother’s name will bring luck to the offspring.