Sea the Stars flawless in Eclipse Stakes

Sea the Stars continued his brilliant run of form at Sandown on Saturday, taking yet another group 1 title for John Oxx as he won the 2009 Coral Eclipse Stakes.

Breeders Cup Turf and St Leger Stakes winner, Conduit, put in an excellent performance for the old guard, and was leading the race before Sea the Stars and Rip Van Winkle hit the front on the straight.

Sea the Stars then put in another brilliant finish to win the race one length clear of Rip Van Winkle. Conduit came home in third place.

Immediately after the race, Sea the Stars’ owner, Hong Kong businessman Christopher Tsui, fainted while waiting to congratulate horse and jockey in the winners’ enclosure.

“I was waiting for the horse to come back and it was maybe a bit too warm and I passed out,” Tsui told reporters after recovering. “I have been reading about people doubting Sea The Stars, but now we can all see he’s a great horse.”

Sea the Stars’ next target is likely to be the Irish Champion Stakes at the Curragh. John Oxx is also keeping his options open for the King George Stakes and International Stakes. Sea The Stars is also a provisional entry for Europe’s richest race, the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe.