Sea the Stars

This past week the racing has come a distant second in the minds of many when set against the tragedy that has befallen the family of racing commentator John Hunt. Such an appalling act of cruelty is impossible to contemplate, especially when it concerns someone who is so popular and respected. In any workplace there are divisions and squabbles. What unites the racing press room in Britain is the unquestionable fact that John is not only a talented professional but a thoroughly decent man; a friend to so many.  He...

Looking to atone for a disappointing fifth-place effort as the favorite in the GII American Turf S. on the GI Kentucky Derby undercard May 4, Godolphin's Legend of Time (GB) (Sea The Stars {Ire}) left it for late in Saturday's GII Pennine Ridge S., but produced a stinging late turn of speed and attacked the wire to earn his first victory at the graded/group level. Favored at 9-10, the 150,000gns Tattersalls October purchase looked to bobble at the break and was therefore settled at the rear of the field by...

The phrase "we'll never see his or her like again" is poignant, heartfelt, and often not true. To say the all-time greatest in sport has already been and gone traps us in the past. When Frankel won the 2011 2,000 Guineas with radiant ease I called the sports desk of The Observer from the football match I had been sent to cover and urged them to clear the decks for their Newmarket report. "The 2,000 Guineas isn't meant to be won like that," I told my sports editor. A wonder...

Frankel (GB) has recaptured the crown he first wore in 2021 and is the champion sire in Britain and Ireland for 2023, as well as being the leading sire in Europe, for the second time. It won't be the last. Whether or not he will be able to emulate the long reigns of his sire Galileo (Ire) and grandsire Sadler's Wells remains to be seen, but it would be unwise to bet against it. Yes, Frankel's launch into his stud career was the stallion equivalent of being born with a...

NEWMARKET, UK -- "Get in there!" There's nothing like a bit of football chanting from the terraces of Tattersalls to wake up a slumbering press bench at the end of a long day, and there is no better man for that job than the irrepressible Clive Washbourn. "Two hundred, show us your money," yelled the owner and breeder as Lynn Lodge Stud's colt by Pinatubo (Ire) circled in the ring below him.  "Have you anything to say on the back wall?" enquired auctioneer Simon Kerins of Anthony Stroud, who had also...

Sea The Stars (Ire) and Siyouni (Fr), the flagship stallions of the Aga Khan Studs in Ireland and France respectively, have each had their fees increased to €200,000 for 2024. Representing a career high for both stallions, Sea The Stars stood at €180,000 in 2023 and covered 180 mares, while Siyouni covered 135 at €150,000. The Aga Khan Studs will have two new stallions next season, with last year's Cartier champion 3-year-old, the G1 Prix du Jockey Club and G1 Eclipse S. winner Vadeni (Fr), joining the roster at Haras...

Observations on the European Racing Scene turns the spotlight on the best European races of the day, highlighting well-pedigreed horses early in their careers, horses of note returning to action and young runners that achieved notable results in the sales ring. Monday's Insights features Lord of Love, the son of G1 Prix de Diane victrix Star of Seville (GB). 15.00 Kempton, £20,000, Mdn, 2yo, 8f (AWT) Lady Bamford's homebred LORD OF LOVE (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}) is a son of G1 Prix de Diane victrix Star Of Seville (GB) (Duke Of...

Hukum (Ire) (Sea The Stars {Ire}), the brilliant winner of this year's King George at Ascot, has been retired to stand at Darley Japan for 2024 where he will remain in the ownership of Shadwell. A full-brother to six-time Group 1 winner Baaeed (GB), the dual Group 1 winner will join the roster in Hokkaido and nomination details will be announced at a later date. Trained by Owen Burrows, Hukum enjoyed a stellar career and was twice successful at the highest level. Along with that memorable King George triumph, where...

Many hands make light work. Or in this case, it was many feet and steps that allowed Richard Brown of Blandford Bloodstock to find and then secure the Sea The Stars (Ire) colt who topped the final session of Book 2 of the Tattersalls October Yearling Sale on Wednesday at 425,000gns. It was Juddmonte's Sam Guyette, shortlisting for the top bloodstock agent this week, who first lauded the Norelands Stud-drafted colt as a potential nap.  Brown revealed that, after taking this nugget with a heavy pinch of salt initially, he...

Johnny Hassett explained that he will be adopting a different approach to the upcoming breeze-up season after signing for a pair of Sea The Stars (Ire) colts at Book 2 of the Orby Sale, including the €160,000 sale-topper (lot 712) from The Castlebridge Consignment. A brother to German Group 3 winner Alpen Rose, the top lot is from the family of 1,000 Guineas winner Sleepytime (Ire) (Royal Academy), but Hassett is convinced that his new recruit is no slouch and labelled the colt "a belter." Outlining his new streamlined approach...

Robson Aguiar showered Tuesday's Doncaster Premier Yearling Sale-topping Wootton Bassett (GB) colt with praise by comparing him to his Group 1 winner Bucanero Fuerte (GB) and said £200,000 could prove to be good value for the colt in time.  The leading breeze-up handler, who also plays a major role in the Amo Racing operation, flew back to Ireland following inspections but lot 48 clearly made a lasting impression with Aguiar, who saw off stiff opposition for the Highclere Stud-drafted colt remotely. Speaking after the sale, Aguiar said, "He really reminded...

Which stallion does the data say is the outstanding sire-of-sires in Britain and Ireland? The answer will surprise you. We often hear chat about a stallion's ability as a sire-of-sires being bandied about, but it is less common to see it examined in a more detailed and data-driven manner. First and foremost, my personal opinion is that using a stallion's record as a sire-of-sires is one of the most brutally harsh measures in all of bloodstock on which to judge a horse. In short, the reality is that the vast...