LONDON // Europe's champion racehorse Sea the Stars, winner of an unprecedented six consecutive Group One races this season, has been retired, the horse's trainer John Oxx says. The three-year-old colt capped a record-breaking season this month when he captured the Prix de L'Arc de Triomphe to add to victories in the English 2000 Guineas, Derby, Eclipse, Juddmonte International and the Irish Champion Stakes.
Widely regarded as the finest horse of his generation, Sea the Stars' connections had been contemplating running him for a final time in the Breeder's Cup Classic in Santa Anita next month. "We feel it is unfair to keep him going any further given his unprecedented record of achievement in the last six months," Oxx said. "He's come out of the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe in his usual good form. He is fit and healthy and has been cantering since the race.
"He is now retiring from racing but I have no information on stud career details and an announcement will be made at a much later date when plans have been finalised." Christopher Tsui, who owns Sea the Stars, has said the horse will not be sold as he held too much of an emotional attachment for his family, but media reports speculated the champion could raise as much as US$50 million (Dh183.6m) at auction. * Reuters
