2000 Guineas Tips, Free Horse Racing Tips

Can John Oxx Win The 2000 Guineas Again?

May 18, 2010 By The Hitman

Just a few months after masterminding the career of the exceptional Sea The Stars, things have so far this campaign been fairly quiet for John Oxx.

Sea The Stars- Horse of 2009

This weekend he will saddle Keredari in the Abu Dhabi Irish 2,000 Guineas, but Oxx is under no illusions as to the task facing the colt.

Keredari looked well above average when winning a Roscommon maiden last September, but he met with defeat behind Jim Bolger’s Free Judgement a month later at Leopardstown in the Killavullan Stakes.

He got his career back on track with a stylish display in the Lougbrown Stakes, after which Oxx immediately nominated a crack at the Classic.

While he has plenty of scope for improvement, the Currabeg handler admits Keredari would need to step up an anything he has shown previously to trouble the big guns.

“Keredari is an intended runner at this stage,” said Oxx.

“He’s a nice horse but strictly on the ratings he has a fair bit to find.”

Filed Under: Horseracing News Tagged With: Irish 2000 Guineas, John Oxx, Sea the Stars

Mick Kinane Retires from the Saddle- Farewell to a Great

December 8, 2009 By Carl Harris

After 34 years as a jockey Mick Kinane has decided to call it a day and hang up his saddle. Mick Kinane partnered Sea The Stars to a historic six group one wins in 2009 culminating in winning the Arc in October. He leaves on a high but his record rates him as one of the greats.

In a statement, Mick Kinane said:

“I have decided this is the right time to retire from race-riding. At 50 I still feel fit and sharp enough to do any horse justice but, after the season I have just had in partnership with Sea The Stars, I have the privilege of being able to end my career as a jockey on an incredible high and that’s what I want to do.

“I leave with a huge sense of gratitude to all the great horses I have ridden, all the great trainers whose genius developed those champions and everybody else in racing, from the stable lads to the owners, who have made me deeply thankful for my involvement in the game. Teamwork is the key to success in racing and I have been blessed with some of the best alliances a jockey could have. The most important support of all throughout my career has, naturally, come from my wife, Catherine, along with my family and friends. Both Catherine and our two precious daughters, Sinead and Aisling, know how much they mean to me.”

Every racing fan will join me in wishing Mick Kinane all the best, certainly he has provided some of the best moments for many. For me it was seeing him win the International at my beloved York aboard Sea The Stars, the reaction of the crowd was something I have never seen before and Kinane made sure everyone got a good view of the Champion.

Sea The Stars and Kinane

Mick Kinane‘s ride on Sea The Stars in the Arc is one of the great moments of Horseracing…

But there have been many more. Mick Kinane has ridden some of the best horses of the last four decades.
Mick Kinane‘s record…

Born: June 22, 1959 in Tipperary.

Married: To Catherine, in 1982. Two daughters.

Father: Tommy, won Champion Hurdle on Monksfield in 1978.

Apprenticeship: With Liam Browne.

First winner: Muscari at Leopardstown on March 19, 1975.

Irish Champion apprentice: 1978.

Irish champion jockey: 10 times.

British Classic winners:

2000 Guineas: Tirol 1990, Entrepreneur 1997, King Of Kings 1998, Sea The Stars 2009.

Derby: Commander In Chief 1993, Galileo 2001, Sea the Stars 2009.

Oaks: Shahtoush 1998, Imagine 2001.

St Leger: Milan 2001.

Irish Classic winners:

1000 Guineas: Trusted Partner 1988, Yesterday 2003, Saoire 2005.

2000 Guineas: Dara Monarch 1982, Flash Of Steel 1986, Sea The Stars 2009

Oaks: Alydaress 1989, Dance Design 1996.

St Leger: Vintage Crop 1993 & 1994, Kastoria 2006.

Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe winners: Carroll House 1989, Montjeu 1999, Sea The Stars 2009.

King George VI And Queen Elizabeth Stakes winners: Belmez 1990, King’s Theatre 1994, Montjeu 2000, Galileo 2001, Azamour 2005.

Breeders’ Cup winners: Johannesburg (Juvenile) 2001, High Chaparral (2002 and 2003).

Melbourne Cup winner: Vintage Crop 1993.

Belmont Stakes winner: Go And Go 1990.

Other big winners:

Alandi (Pris du Cadran 2009), Alexandrova (Yorkshire Oaks 2006), Among Men (Sussex Stakes 1998), Azamour (St James’s Palace Stakes 2004), Blue Duster (Cheveley Park Stakes 1995), Ballingarry (Canadian International 2002), Brief Truce (St James’s Palace Stakes 1992), Cape Of Good Hope (Golden Jubilee Stakes 2005), Cezanne (Irish Champion Stakes 1994), Ciro (Grand Criterium 1999, Prix Lupin 2000, Secretariat Stakes 2000), Classic Cliche (Gold Cup 1996), Committed (Prix de l’Abbaye 1985), Definite Article (National Stakes 1994), Donna Blini (Cheveley Park Stakes 2005), Electrocutionist (Juddmonte International 2005), Fasliyev (Heinz 57 Phoenix Park Stakes 1999, Prix Morny 1999), George Washington (Queen Elizabeth II Stakes 2006), Giant’s Causeway (St James’s Palace Stakes 2000, Sussex Stakes 2000, International Stakes 2000,

Irish Champion Stakes 2000, Prix de la Salamandre 1999), Grand Lodge (St James’s Palace Stakes 1994), Hawk Wing (Coral-Eclipse Stakes 2002, Lockinge Stakes 2003), Kayf Tara (Gold Cup 2000),

Kissing Cousin (Coronation Stakes 1994), Landseer (French 2000 Guineas 2002), Minardi (Middle Park Stakes 2000, Heinz 57 Phoenix Park Stakes 2000), Montjeu (Tattersalls Gold Cup 2000), Mozart (July Cup & Nunthorpe Stakes 2001), Mus-If (National Stakes 1998), Opera House (Coral-Eclipse 1993), Orpen (Prix Morny 1998), Pilsudski (Coral-Eclipse 1997, Champion Stakes 1997, Irish Champion Stakes 1997, Japan Cup 1997), Proclamation (Sussex Stakes 2005), Rock Of Gibraltar (Dewhurst Stakes 2001, Sussex Stakes 2002),

Rose Gypsy (French1000 Guineas 2001) Saratoga Springs (Racing Post Trophy 1997), Scorpion (Coronation Cup 2007), Sea The Stars (Coral-Eclipse 2009, Juddmonte International 2009, Irish Champion Stakes 2009), Second Empire (Grand Criterium 1997), Sophisticat (Coronation Stakes 2002) Stravinsky (Nunthorpe Stakes 1999), Sunspangled (Fillies’ Mile 1998), Volvoreta (Prix Vermeille 2000), Yeats (Ascot Gold Cup 2007).

Other information:

Kinane rode 17 Group or Grade One winners for trainer Aidan O’Brien in 2001. He also bred 2007 Derby winner Authorized

Filed Under: Horseracing News Tagged With: Mick Kinane, Sea the Stars

Sea The Stars Horse Of The Year

November 18, 2009 By Carl Harris

Sea The Stars crowned a glorious year with Horse of the Year honours at the 2009 Cartier Racing Awards. It really was the biggest certainty of 2009 that he would be announced the Cartier Horse of The Year. May be this had something to do with his winning…

And this…

Racing’s glitterati gathered at Claridge’s Hotel in Mayfair, London, where the John Oxx-trained superstar was also awarded the title of Champion Three-Year-Old Colt. Wins in the 2000 Guineas, Derby, Eclipse, Juddmonte International, Irish Champion Stakes and the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe etched Christopher Tsui’s horse into the annals of Turf history.

Brilliant French filly Goldikova was Champion Older Horse after recording back-to-back wins in the Breeders’ Cup Mile in another stellar season.

The Two-Year-Old Colt category went the way of Aidan O’Brien’s unbeaten Racing Post Trophy winner St Nicholas Abbey, while the fillies’ equivalent was awarded to Criquette Head-Maarek’s Special Duty, winner of the Cheveley Park Stakes at Newmarket.

There was no need to look any further than Yeats for Champion Stayer. O’Brien’s stalwart brought the house down at Royal Ascot when becoming the first horse to win the Gold Cup four times.

Here is an excellent tribute to Sea The Stars…..Perfection in Equine Form!

Sea The Stars- The Best Ever?

Sea The Stars- Horse of The Year 2009

Filed Under: News Tagged With: Cartier Horse of the Year, Goldikova, Sea the Stars, Yeats

SEA THE STARS – ZARKAVA FIRST OFFSPRING 33/1 FOR ARC VICTORY

October 27, 2009 By The Hitman

With news today that the last two Arc winners Sea The Stars and Zarkava are set to breed at “the earliest opportunity” bookie Paddy Power is offering 33/1 that the first offspring of the two champion horses repeats the triumph of its parents with a Prix De L’Arc victory.

Paddy installs Sea The Stars Off Spring at 33/1

Arguably the two best flat horses of their generation, punters can be expected to anticipate a wonder horse with betting before the two champions even have a chance to flutter their eyelashes at each other at the Aga Khan’s Gilltown Stud.

Other bets include 20/1 the first offspring wins any UK Classic, including The Derby or The Oaks, but in a sign that it’s not easy to breed a champion no matter what the bloodstock might be, the bookie also offers 6/1 the first born of the two fails to win any race.

Should owners decide that jumps racing is the way to go Paddy Power offer 50/1 for a Triumph hurdle victory at the Cheltenham Festival.

Paddy Power said: “This horse could be one of the most anticipated in history – and it’s not even been conceived yet! But the mere thought of what it could be capable of if the qualities of Sea The Stars and Zakava are successfully combined is enough to give us bookies a thousand nightmares.”

The first offspring of Sea the Stars & Zarkava

5/6 To be a colt

5/6 To be a filly

6/1 Not to win any race

20/1 To Win any UK Classic

33/1 To win The Arc

12/1 To run over jumps

50/1 To win the Triumph Hurdle

Filed Under: News Tagged With: Sea the Stars, Zarkava

Bookies Offering Odds on St Nicholas Abbey being the new Sea The Stars

October 25, 2009 By Carl Harris

ST NICHOLAS 16-1 TO OUTDO SEA THE STARS & 40-1 FOR A STARRY SIX-TIMER!

Following his dazzling victory in yesterdays Racing Post Trophy, bookmakers William Hill make St Nicholas Abbey just a 6-1 chance to achieve wins in the 2000 Guineas and Derby next year.

The new Sea The Stars?

In what had appeared an open year for both Classics, the colt has blazed the trail with his performance and now tops the 2000 Guineas betting at 7-2, available at 11-4 for the Derby. Hills are also offering a price on a Triple Crown victory, offering 14-1 that the son of Montjeu is the first to emulate Nijinsky by completing the Classic clean-sweep.

The electric turn of foot shown yesterday has already led to comparisons with the recently retired Sea The Stars, and Hills odds of 16-1 that St Nicholas Abbey exceeds the official handicappers 135 assessment of Sea The Stars, and 40-1 that he emulates the superstar by notching up victories in the same six Group Ones.

Kate Miller, spokeswoman for William Hill, said: Coolmore are all about creating stallion legacies by guiding their charges into the record books. The odds of them attempting to create their own Sea The Stars with this unbeaten Classic candidate would not be as high as youd expect.

ST NICHOLAS ABBEY SPECIALS

6-1 To win both the 2000 Guineas and Derby
14-1 To win the Triple Crown
16-1 To finish 2010 rated higher than Sea the Stars (135 as per the handicapper)
40-1 To emulate Sea the Stars and complete the May-Oct six-timer

2000 Guineas 2010: 7-2 St Nicholas Abbey, 10-1 Arcarno, Canford Cliffs, 12-1 Awzaan, Elusive Pimpernel, Steinbeck, 14-1 Kingsfort, 16-1 Cape Blanco, Workforce, 20-1 Al Zir, Chabel, Fencing Master, Poets Voice, Showcasing, 25-1 Beethoven, Emerald Commander, Viscount Nelson, Xtension, 33-1 Air Chief Marshal, Alfred Nobel, Arctic, Azmeel, Dick Turpin,High Twelve, Markazzi, Monsieur Chevalier, Pounced, Silver Grecian, Stunning View, 40-1 Big Audio, Emperor Claudius, Meezaan, 50-1 Classic Colori (EW 1/4 1,2,3)

Investec Epsom Derby 2010: 11-4 St Nicholas Abbey, 14-1 Elusive Pimpernel, 20-1 Al Zir, Azmeel, Cape Blanco, Coordinated Cut, Joshua Tree, 25-1 Chabal, Flying Cross, Viscount Nelson, Workforce, 33-1 Ameer, Farrrej, High Twelve, Jan Vermeer, 40-1 Steinbeck, 50-1 Morana (EW 1/4 odds 1,2,3)

He will have to be this good…..

Filed Under: News Tagged With: horseracing, Sea the Stars, St Nicholas Abbdey

John Oxx On Sea The Stars Retirement

October 14, 2009 By Carl Harris

The Sky News cameras were at John Oxx’s yard today to see Sea The Stars

Read more about Sea The Stars Retirement

Filed Under: Horseracing News Tagged With: John Oxx, Sea the Stars

Sea The Stars 25/1 to sire an Epsom Derby winner!

October 14, 2009 By Carl Harris

Paddy Power have released betting on where retired Champion Sea The Stars will stand at Stud.

Sea the Stars

The bookie, who refunded all losing ante post bets on Sea The Stars for the Breeders’ Cup Classic, has made the Irish National Stud odds on favourite at 4-6. Hugh Hefner’s Playboy Mansion is an unlikely outsider at 1000-1!

What Stud will Sea The Stars retire to?

4-6 Irish National Stud, 2-1 Owner’s Stud, 5-2 Any Sheikh Mohammed Stud, 25-1 Coolmore Stud, Aga Khan Stud Gilltown, 1000-1 The Playboy Mansion

25-1 Sea The Stars to sire an Epsom Derby winner in his first crop.

Filed Under: News Tagged With: Sea the Stars

Wednesdays Horseracing Tips, 14th October

October 14, 2009 By Carl Harris

By Carl Harris

Sea The Stars is grabbing headlines far beyond the racing world as he retires from racing, which can only be good for the sport. There is little left to say about the best horse of this century and he is easily the best I have ever seen. It is worth taking a moment to remember why he has hit the headlines.

This season as a three year old he has won six group ones, two of which are classics and the Prix De L’Arc De Triomphe is Europe’s premier race which took his career earnings to over £4.5 million. I saw him smash the course record at York and I have never seen such adulation from a crowd, it was really very special. I struggle to recall that day without feeling a lump in my throat. Sea The Stars has reminded me why I love horseracing and now the hope that I will see another of his like is what makes the future so exciting.

Farewell and thank you to Sea The Stars

John Oxx deserves credit for his handling and training of Sea The Stars, he is a gentleman and a very good trainer, a horse and trainer so well suited, both exceptional with a likeable nature who have captured the imagination of the public. Farewell to Sea The Stars but above all thank you!

Oh how I wish Sea the Stars was running today! I need a winner having had my worse run for over a year, hopefully I will be back in the game with two very strong bets on Thursday.

16:30 Uttoxeter- Mickmacmagoole, Win

Having used a plethora of superlatives for Sea The Stars, many of them actually apply to king of the jumps, Tony McCoy, who rides Mickmacmagoole (16:30) for Evan Williams at Uttoxeter. It may only be a seller but the form book says that it should be a seller that McCoy adds yet another winner to his tally. Connections teamed up to win a better race at Hexham last time and a quick double should be landed here. Although the odds are not huge we should be paid out.

17:15 Lingfield- Ingenue, Win

Sir Mark Prescott seems to have a very well handicapped horse in the shape of Ingenue (17:15) who trotted up at Catterick and lines up here under a penalty. The further she goes the better she looks and from a mark of only 35 there is no doubt there is plenty of scope for another winning sequence. I suspect we may look back, in a few weeks, at today’s mark and smile. She readily beat a number of inform rivals last time which suggests that the filly is better than her current rating. Ingenue is my best bet of the day.

Carl Harris’ Best Bets for Wednesday 14 October

16:30 Uttoxeter- Mickmacmagoole, Win- BACK
17:15 Lingfield- Ingenue, Win- BACK

Filed Under: News Tagged With: Lingfield, Sea the Stars, Sir Mark Prescott, Tony McCoy, Uttoxeter

SEA SET TO STAR AT STUD -Money back on ante post Breeders' bets

October 13, 2009 By Carl Harris

SEA SET TO STAR AT STUD
- Money back on ante post Breeders’ bets -

Following news today that the multiple Group 1 winning champion, Sea The Stars, is to be retired to stud, Paddy Power have announced that they will refund all losing ante post bets on him to win the Breeders’ Cup classic.

Rip Van Winkle now Fav

The bookie is also offering odds of 25-1 that he takes the breeding world by storm and produces a Derby winner from his first crop of foals.

Coolmore’s Rip Van Winkle is now clear 7-4 favourite for the Breeders’ Cup Classic. Sea The Stars had been red hot even money favourite.

Paddy Power said, “It’s sad to see the back of him but he has nothing more to prove. Let’s just hope he’s more Sadlers Wells than Cigar or Gorgeous George!”

Paddy Power bet:
25-1 Sea The Stars to sire the Epsom Derby winner from his first crop.

Breeders’ Cup Classic
7-4 Rip Van Winkle
9-2 Zenyatta
7-1 Summer Bird
10-1 Mastercraftsman
12-1 bar

Filed Under: News Tagged With: Breeders Cup, Rip Van Winkle, Sea the Stars

BREAKING NEWS- SEA THE STARS RETIRED

October 13, 2009 By Carl Harris

Sea The Stars Retired

Sea The Stars has been retired to stud says trainer John Oxx. The six time Group One winner in 2009 has raced six times this year and has won;

He will now stand as a stallion and will not travel to the breeders cup. Sea The Stars lit up our season and is the best horse I have ever seen and one of the greatest ever, if not the best. He certainly is the best ever to run at York, smashing the track record in the summer, the best day of racing I have ever enjoyed.

What a horse, here is a tribute to Sea the Stars…

The Statement reads;

“It has been decided after discussions with Mr Christopher Tsui (owner) that Sea The Stars will not take part in the Breeders’ Cup at Santa Anita on November 7. He’s had a long season and has been in regular fast work from March 3, with his final workout on October 2. He’s been in intensive training for seven months with only a three-week break after the Eclipse Stakes at the beginning of July. We feel it is unfair to keep him going any further given his unprecedented record of achievement in the last six months.

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.”

Filed Under: Horseracing News Tagged With: Sea the Stars