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INTERNATIONAL DIARY JUNE 27, 2009 June 6, 2009, was a date for history lovers to savor. On that 65th anniversary of D-Day, a colt whose very existence might have been unthinkable, but for the storming of those beaches at Normandy, sallied forth into the record books at Epsom. Hong Kong-owned, Irish-bred and -trained, by an English highweight miler, out of a French highweight mare who was bred in America from a German family, SEA THE STARS (Cape Cross [Ire]) became the first horse in 20 years to turn the Two Thousand Guineas (Eng-G1)/Derby (Eng-G1) double. In truth, the cleverly-named son of Urban Sea (Miswaki), and a half-brother to 2001 Derby hero Galileo (Ire) (Sadler's Wells), looked every inch the winner from a long way out. Regular rider Mick Kinane rode Sea the Stars with the utmost confidence, and wisely so. Rather than over-analyzing whether the John Oxx pupil would stay the 1 1/2-mile distance, and allowing such abstractions to affect his strategy, the veteran jockey kept it simple, and guided him as if he were the best horse in the race. Kinane accordingly carved out a perfect trip. After tossing his head early, and pulling hard in frustration at the moderate pace, Sea the Stars settled into a lovely rhythm several lengths off the leaders. Descending Tattenham Corner, he continued to display his effortless cruising speed while others around him began to be driven along. Kinane eased him to the outside in the straight, awaiting the precise moment to pull the trigger and take down the trailblazing GOLDEN SWORD (High Chaparral [Ire]). As Sea the Stars raced in hand, Aidan O'Brien's top hope, FAME AND GLORY (Montjeu [Ire]), had to be asked a couple of times to maintain his position tracking the Guineas winner. Fame and Glory answered every call, but lacked that bit of finesse to keep pace effortlessly. Once unleashed by Kinane, Sea the Stars lengthened stride smartly and soon reeled in a stubborn Golden Sword. Fame and Glory, to his credit, continued to fight the good fight. Try though he might, the Ballydoyle colt never threatened Sea the Stars, who was in total command at the wire. The official margin of victory was 1 3/4 lengths, but the dual classic conqueror was hardly ridden out, and he appeared to have plenty left in strategic reserve. Four O'Brien colts passed the post in tight formation. Runner-up Fame and Glory had a diminishing neck to spare over MASTEROFTHEHORSE (Sadler's Wells), a full brother to triple Oaks heroine Alexandrova (Ire). Masterofthehorse ran a terrific race, considering that he was far back off a less-than-demanding tempo, yet rallied strongly between stablemates to just miss second. RIP VAN WINKLE (Galileo [Ire]), the chosen mount of Ballydoyle's top rider Johnny Murtagh, likewise made good headway late on the outside to finish a close fourth. Golden Sword stuck on persistently for fifth, beaten a little more than two lengths by Sea the Stars. In light of the manner of the winner's performance, and my regard for the placed horses, I believe that this was a high-caliber renewal of the Derby. Sea the Stars is therefore a worthy successor to one of my all-time favorites, Nashwan, the last Guineas hero to romp at Epsom. Conventional wisdom has it that if Ballydoyle had deployed its forces more cagily, the O'Brien horses would have carved out a frenetic pace to test Sea the Stars' stamina to the limit. This, so the argument goes, would have played to the strengths of a thorough-going stayer like Fame and Glory, and might have exposed any weaknesses in Sea the Stars. In this view, the steady pace actually served Sea the Stars best, turning the Derby into a sprint up the straight. I don't think the pace would have made the slightest difference to the winner at all. Sea the Stars did not flash home like a miler, with a lightning burst of acceleration off that steady pace. Just as in the Guineas, his move was more an irresistible gathering of momentum, a powerful surge, rather than a rapier-like thrust. In fact, a stronger tempo would have helped Sea the Stars to rate more kindly in that opening-quarter mile. He would have traveled just as well off a more searching pace, switched off in auto-pilot mode, until producing his effort. With a fast early pace, there would have been no question of a four-horse photo for second. The minor placegetters would have been strung out, and Golden Sword would have beaten by a pole. Might Fame and Glory have benefited from a more forward position early -- in other words, by trying to steal a march on the Guineas winner, rather than shadowing him and hoping he didn't stay? Judging by the fact that Fame and Glory did not have quite the tactical speed of Sea the Stars, I'm not sure that idea would have played out on the course as sensibly as it looks on paper. In hindsight, Sea the Stars was perfectly suited to thrive at Epsom, the ideal place for him to tackle 1 1/2 miles. The sharp course often rewards the handiness of a superb traveler like him, while simultaneously tending to undermine those who are deficient in that category. Sea the Stars was simply the best horse at Epsom, and no permutation of Ballydoyle tactics could change that. It's a different question whether Sea the Stars would also be the best horse in Sunday's Irish Derby (Ire-G1) at the Curragh. Unlike Epsom, the broad, demanding expanse of the Curragh brings out the best in galloping types. Over a different sort of course, Fame and Glory is eligible to turn in an even better effort, and possibly even turn the tables. Unfortunately, with rain falling at the Curragh, Sea the Stars may not get the opportunity to become the first horse since the legendary Nijinsky II to sweep the Guineas, Epsom and Irish Derbies. Oxx has vowed to scratch the dual classic winner if the ground is unsuitable, with the July 4 Eclipse S. (Eng-G1) as his alternative target. [Saturday update: Oxx has officially announced that Sea the Stars is withdrawn from the Irish Derby because of the rain-soaked ground. He is now on course for the Eclipse, where he will once again try to emulate Nashwan. Skipping the Irish Derby after his Epsom heroics, Nashwan lined up in the Eclipse instead and smashed older horses. Can Sea the Stars keep pace with the ghost of Nashwan?] Just 10 days after the Derby, Sea the Stars' Guineas form was flattered once again in the June 16 St. James's Palace S. (Eng-G1) going one mile at Royal Ascot. The O'Brien-trained MASTERCRAFTSMAN (Danehill Dancer), fifth to Sea the Stars at Newmarket and most recently a devastating winner of the Irish Two Thousand Guineas (Ire-G1) at the Curragh, prevailed in a spine-tingling duel with English Guineas runner-up DELEGATOR (Dansili [GB]). After smoothly tracking his pacemaker, who was under a drive throughout, Mastercraftsman took command in the stretch and appeared ready to draw off. By this time, however, Delegator was rallying boldly from off the pace, and the blaze-faced bay put his head in front in midstretch. Mastercraftsman was not about to wilt. Coming again along the rail, the gray found another gear to reclaim the lead and inch away by a neck at the wire. O'Brien promptly compared Mastercraftsman to Ballydoyle's "Iron Horse," Giant's Causeway, who made a career of showing similar courage under fire. He now has the option of stepping up in trip for the 1 1/4-mile Eclipse, along with stablemate Rip van Winkle. It would be no surprise if Mastercraftsman ends up aiming for the Breeders' Cup Classic (G1), just like O'Brien's 2008 St. James's Palace winner, Henrythenavigator. Delegator, who had flopped in the Irish Guineas on heavy ground, was back to his very best on Ascot's good-to-firm turf. The Brian Meehan trainee's race was reminiscent of his English Guineas, where he made a threatening move before being dusted by Sea the Stars. Delegator has had the misfortune of clashing with two gifted opponents, and in an average year, he may well have won both prestigious events. He could break through next time out in the August 16 Prix Jacques le Marois (Fr-G1) at Deauville. In comparison with the Derby at Epsom, the June 7 Prix du Jockey-Club (French Derby) (Fr-G1) was an unsatisfying affair that left more questions than answers. The course at Chantilly was watered, and then the rains came, leaving the ground looking squishy (on video at least). FUISSE (Green Tune) chased a torrid pace, set sail for home, and had everyone else on the ropes but LE HAVRE (Noverre), from the red-hot yard of Jean-Claude Rouget. Displaying a pronounced knee action, and relishing the conditions, Le Havre barreled past Fuisse late, with O'Brien's reliable placegetter WESTPHALIA (Ire) (Danehill Dancer) finishing third. The Aga Khan's hitherto unbeaten BEHESHTAM (Peintre Celebre) found the 10 1/2-furlong trip a bit too short for him, gradually working his way into fourth without ever threatening. Le Havre, who had been runner-up to SILVER FROST (Verglas [Ire]) in the Poule d'Essai des Poulains (Fr-G1), clearly enjoyed stepping up in distance. Silver Frost, in contrast, weakened to sixth when attempting the longer trip in the French Derby. Between the possibly questionable ground, the mindless pace, and the fact that these are some way below the standard set by Sea the Stars, it's difficult to figure out just what the form means for the rest of the season. Indeed, Le Havre is not even nominated to the French contest for sophomores at the real classic distance, the July 14 Grand Prix de Paris (Fr-G1) at 1 1/2 miles, and it's unclear whether he could handle Silver Frost if cutting back in trip to a mile. The classy colt chose an opportune moment to strike in the French Derby, but I'm not sure where or when he can land another Group 1 prize this campaign. The Grand Prix de Paris will likely test the respective merits of the French and English form. In the Longchamp feature on Bastille Day, Beheshtam could clash with FATHER TIME (Dansili [GB]), who is coming off an impressive score in the June 19 King Edward VII S. (Eng-G2) at Royal Ascot. Another vital factor has dampened enthusiasm for the French Derby: the superlative display turned in by the unbeaten filly STACELITA (Monsun) in the June 14 Prix de Diane (French Oaks) (Fr-G1) at the same course and distance. Interestingly, like Le Havre, she is trained by Rouget, who has made no secret of his high opinion of her. She looks like his true three-year-old star. Stacelita's four-length demolition job has elicited the inevitable comparison to last year's heroine, Zarkava, but the two have contrasting styles. While Zarkava overwhelmed her opponents with dazzling runs from the rear, Stacelita breaks their hearts from up front. In the French Oaks, Stacelita stalked a rapid pace, easily took over while still under wraps, and the entire rest of the field was under pressure. She was allowed to run for only about a furlong or so in the stretch, when she delivered an immediate response. Underscoring the power of her performance, the second- through fourth-place finishers all came from far off the pace. The bay with the exquisitely tapered ears was never challenged as she turned the classic into a procession, begging the question of what she might have done to the colts in the French Derby. Stacelita will now adopt Zarkava's itinerary -- the September 13 Prix Vermeille (Fr-G1) followed by a tilt at the October 4 Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe (Fr-G1). Unlike Stacelita's supremacy at Chantilly, the victory by SARISKA (Pivotal) in the June 5 Oaks (Eng-G1) at Epsom was both messy and problematic, as evidenced by the lengthy stewards' inquiry that followed the race. The Michael Bell trainee first lugged in, then drifted out, in the course of making her winning move, and in the process became an equine wrecking ball. Among those she hampered was Henry Cecil's MIDDAY (Oasis Dream [GB]), who had been traveling every bit as well to the inside of Sariska. Midday was shuffled back at a decisive point, and even though the Juddmonte homebred recovered to press Sariska in a terrific stretch drive, she could not overcome that loss of position caused by the winner and fell a head short. We'll never know if the interference cost Midday the victory. If she had been able to move in tandem with Sariska, she just might have managed to outduel her. On the other hand, Sariska, who looks bigger and rangier than Midday, may have had her measure, regardless. Nor did Sariska emerge unscathed from the barging herself, for she sustained a cut to a hind leg. The two will try to settle the argument in the July 12 Irish Oaks (Ire-G1) at the Curragh. The pecking order among the filly milers, however, is crystal clear: Sheikh Hamdan's GHANAATI (Giant's Causeway) reigns supreme, and the One Thousand Guineas (Eng-G1) heroine is more than a match for the older males in this division. Regarded as the best filly that Barry Hills has had in his four-decade career, the bay outclassed a deep field in the June 19 Coronation S. (Eng-G1) at Royal Ascot. Ghanaati put her rivals to the sword in grand style, storming two lengths clear in a course record-time of 1:38.32 on the round mile -- nearly a full second faster than Mastercraftsman's clocking three days earlier. The French filly REGGANE (Red Ransom) turned in a huge performance to finish second in only her third lifetime start, with RAINBOW VIEW (Dynaformer) another 2 1/4 lengths back in third after finding traffic trouble turning for home. The other Guineas winners -- Poule d'Essai des Pouliches (Fr-G1) queen ELUSIVE WAVE (Elusive City) and Irish One Thousand Guineas (Ire-G1) victress AGAIN (Danehill Dancer) -- wound up fourth and seventh, respectively. Ghanaati has an abundance of potential targets. If she chooses to stay at one mile, she could clash with older distaffers in the July 8 Falmouth S. (Eng-G1), a Newmarket contest that is expected to feature Breeders' Cup Mile (G1) winner GOLDIKOVA (Ire) (Anabaa) as well as SPACIOUS (Nayef), who exits a front-running score in the June 17 Windsor Forest S. (Eng-G2) at Royal Ascot. Or, Ghanaati could confront older males in the July 29 Sussex S. (Eng-G1) at Goodwood. Hills is also contemplating such 10-furlong affairs as the August 1 Nassau S. (Eng-G1) versus distaffers at Goodwood, and the August 18 Juddmonte International (Eng-G1) against older males at York. Whatever her ultimate direction, Ghanaati warrants considerable respect. If Ghanaati takes the Sussex route, that could put her on a collision course with the four-year-old colt PACO BOY (Desert Style), a good-looking winner of the June 16 Queen Anne S. (Eng-G1) at Royal Ascot. The Richard Hannon trainee comprehensively avenged his defeat in the Dubai Duty Free (UAE-G1), where he trudged home eighth to GLADIATORUS (Silic [Fr]). This time around, it was Gladiatorus who was trounced in sixth. Some have speculated that Gladiatorus found Ascot's straight mile too demanding, compared to the forgiving turn he rattled around at Nad al Sheba. I very much doubt that explanation, for Gladiatorus hoisted the white flag long before that sort of nicety could come into play. As in Dubai, he scorched to the early lead, but instead of running his rivals ragged at Ascot, he only succeeded in ruining himself. Gladiatorus telegraphed that he was in trouble after about five furlongs, and gave way pretty alarmingly thereafter. Even if he had set too fast a pace, one would have expected him to hold on longer than he did. Gladiatorus' spectacular failure in the Queen Anne came after his transfer to Godolphin. When he was posting his world-class performances in Dubai, he was trained by Mubarak bin Shafya. Is it too simplistic to ask what might have happened if he'd stayed with bin Shafya? Granted, the trainer switch is just one variable among many in this baffling case, but it's not easy to skirt the issue either. While Gladiatorus was imploding, Paco Boy was striding well within himself, and he pulled clear to score by 1 1/2 lengths. Considering his success in the Sandown Mile (Eng-G2) two back, it should have been apparent that he gets a mile, but many expressed skepticism after he finished fourth in the Lockinge S. (Eng-G1) last time out. Paco Boy had an excuse for the Lockinge, since he exited the race with an infected hoof. Although he has now silenced the doubters, he may cut back in trip for the six-furlong July Cup (Eng-G1) on July 10. Others targeting the July Cup are SCENIC BLAST (Scenic [Ire]), the multiple Australian Group 1 star who landed the June 16 King's Stand S. (Eng-G1) at Royal Ascot; fellow Australian globetrotter TAKEOVER TARGET (Celtic Swing), now 10 years old; and three-year-old ART CONNOISSEUR (Lucky Story), who just denied Wesley Ward's Cannonball (Catienus) in the June 20 Golden Jubilee S. (Eng-G1) at Royal Ascot. Just as Gladiatorus disappointed in his Godolphin debut, so did Dubai Sheema Classic (UAE-G1) hero EASTERN ANTHEM (Singspiel [Ire]) turn in a lackluster effort in his first start back with Godolphin in the June 5 Coronation Cup (Eng-G1) at Epsom, winding up sixth. The Coronation Cup featured a thrilling three-way photo finish. The Sir Michael Stoute-trained ASK (GB) (Sadler's Wells) struck the front and was all out to hold off YOUMZAIN (Sinndar) by a nose, with last year's Oaks victress LOOK HERE (Hernando [Fr]) another nose away in third. All things considered, the filly ran arguably the best race of the trio. Both older males had the benefit of prior runs this season; Ask had romped in the Yorkshire Cup (Eng-G2), and Youmzain had finished a troubled fourth to Eastern Anthem in the Sheema. Look Here, however, had not raced since finishing third to CONDUIT (Ire) (Dalakhani) in the St Leger (Eng-G1) last September. Moreover, Look Here was near the tail of the field off a sedate pace in the Coronation Cup, while Ask sat in the ideal stalking position. Despite that tactical disadvantage, she came with a raking run in deep stretch, only to hang to her left across the camber. If Look Here had maintained a straight course, she probably would have won outright. Her momentum was dissipated just enough by going diagonally, and it cost her. Trainer Ralph Beckett has entered Look Here in Saturday's Pretty Polly S. (Ire-G1) against fellow distaffers at the Curragh, but I would have preferred to see her face males again. [Saturday update: Now I really wish that Look Here had taken a different route! She never had a realistic chance of closing off a dawdling pace going just 1 1/4 miles on yielding ground, and she did well to rally for third, beaten just a length. Full credit to the front-running winner, the well-bred DAR RE MI (Singspiel [Ire]), who prevailed by a short head from longshot BEACH BUNNY (High Chaparral [Ire]). Dar Re Mi, who had checked in second to Zarkava in last year's Vermeille, has accordingly earned a berth in the November 6 Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf (G1), a spot that trainer John Gosden is likely to target.] The hard-luck Youmzain, who has now finished second in two Coronation Cups and two Arcs, will attempt to defend his title in Sunday's Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud (Fr-G1). His rivals include SPANISH MOON (El Prado [Ire]), who, contrary to my fanciful speculation in the June 9 Turf Diary, remains with Stoute, and Prix Corrida (Fr-G2) queen ALPINE ROSE (Linamix). Youmzain is then expected to take a third crack at the July 25 King George VI & Queen Elizabeth S. (Eng-G1) at Ascot, having finished second in 2007 and third last year. Also potentially entering the King George mix is YEATS (Ire) (Sadler's Wells), who achieved an incredible fourth victory in the 2 1/2-mile Gold Cup (Eng-G1) at Royal Ascot on June 18. The grand old stayer would be dropping back significantly in distance for the 1 1/2-mile King George, and I'm not sure if the Ballydoyle trial balloons are to be taken seriously. Knowing his fondness for Ascot, the King George would be the right spot to return to the shorter trip. Although it was not as close as the Coronation Cup, the June 17 Prince of Wales's S. (Eng-G1), the premier event for older horses at Royal Ascot, also served up a tight finish. Last year's French Derby winner, VISION D'ETAT (Chichicastenango), found a seam between rivals and produced a sharp turn of foot to claim the spoils by a half-length. Runner-up TARTAN BEARER (Spectrum) was a bit one-paced in this 1 1/4-mile event, and the Stoute trainee would probably profit from stepping up in distance. Another French invader, NEVER ON SUNDAY (Sunday Break [Jpn]), was a mere head back in third, and TWICE OVER (Observatory) checked in a further neck away in fourth. Vision d'Etat is a top-class animal who was beaten all of 3 1/2 lengths by Zarkava in last year's Arc, yet I can't escape the nagging feeling that this edition of the Prince of Wales's was not as compelling as in recent years. There was not quite the raw dynamism of Duke of Marmalade (Ire), or Manduro, or Ouija Board (GB) here. Having said that, I may be underestimating the French colt, for he boasts a sterling eight-for-10 career mark. Trainer Eric Libaud has mapped out his program: Vision d'Etat will enjoy a vacation, and prep for the Arc in the September 13 Prix Foy (Fr-G2). Finally, I can't sign off without recognizing another kind of vision -- Wesley Ward's bold stroke to send a selected group of juveniles, along with the aforementioned Cannonball, to Royal Ascot. His breadth of vision was rewarded with historic milestones for an American trainer. I was surprised when STRIKE THE TIGER (Tiger Ridge) captured the June 16 Windsor Castle S., but I was completely stunned when JEALOUS AGAIN (Trippi) ran roughshod over England's fastest juvenile fillies in the Queen Mary S. (Eng-G2) the following day. The Queen Mary represented a much higher level of competition, and the way that Jealous Again made a number of highly regarded rivals look like plodders was truly remarkable. Ward may have set a trend. Next year, how many speedy American two-year-olds might bid for gaudy black-type at Royal Ascot? Our next issue will recap the Irish Derby and Oaks, the Eclipse, Grand Prix de Paris, and the action from Newmarket's July meeting, and look ahead to the King George.
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