Sea The Stars seals historic win

Sea The Stars produced another superb display to win the Group One Eclipse Stakes at Sandown Park and secure a hat-trick of famous victories.

The Derby and 2,000 Guineas winner held off Aidan O'Brien's Rip Van Winkle to win by a length, with Breeders' Cup Turf winner Conduit back in third.

The three-year-old colt, trained by John Oxx, emulated Nashwan's 1989 exploits by completing the treble.

"It is very rare that you get a horse with all of the qualities," said Oxx.

Sea The Stars triumphed in the 2,000 Guineas at Newmarket in May before stepping up in distance to win the Derby at Epsom last month.

"I have been reading about people doubting Sea The Stars, but now we can all see he's a great horse"

"You don't get many like him, he has so much early pace it is unbelievable," said veteran jockey Mick Kinane.

"When the second horse came at me, he just picked up. You are never going to win by more than two lengths on him, he just does enough.

"There will be more to come as he will get better as he matures."

The colt's owner Christopher Tsui fainted in the winner's enclosure but recovered to collect the winner's trophy.

"I was waiting for the horse to come back and it was maybe a bit too warm and I passed out," said the Hong Kong-based owner.

"I have been reading about people doubting Sea The Stars, but now we can all see he's a great horse."

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" In 10 years people will talk about this horse as one of THE greatest ever "

Sea The Stars, the 4-7 favourite, took command of Saturday's 10-furlong race with 400m to go and, despite a strong challenge from Rip Van Winkle, stretched away to an impressive triumph in front of a sizeable crowd.

Oxx added: "This is what keeps you working.

"For 19 days out of 20, when you say what are you wasting your time for training racehorses when you can do something easier, these are the moments that keep you going."

He said the horse's next major target was the Irish Champion Stakes in the autumn but hinted that the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes over a mile and a half at Ascot in three weeks or the International Stakes at York in August are possibilities too.

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