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INTERNATIONAL DIARY SEPTEMBER 4, 2009 When King Pyrrhus of Epirus fought the Romans in the bloody battle of Asculum in 279 B.C., and sustained heavy casualties for little strategic gain, he reportedly moaned that another such victory would be the end of him. It would be premature to argue that SEA THE STARS' (Cape Cross [Ire]) hard-fought success in the August 18 Juddmonte International S. (Eng-G1) was a "Pyrrhic victory," but it is safe to say that, for the first time all season, we got to the bottom of him. Rather than dismissing the opposition handily, the John Oxx pupil was all out, flat to the boards, to reel in a stubborn MASTERCRAFTSMAN (Danehill Dancer) at York. Before wondering what the Juddmonte might signify, let's go to the tape. Sea the Stars broke well, but unlike his past triumphs in the Two Thousand Guineas (Eng-G1), Derby (Eng-G1) and Eclipse S. (Eng-G1), he did not flash much speed right out of the gate, or tug at Mick Kinane to get on with it. Instead, he was quite happy to lope along at the rear of the four-horse field, tracking Aidan O'Brien's Mastercraftsman, while the Ballydoyle pacemakers were doing their job up front. Sea the Stars' newfound relaxation technique could simply be a sign of added maturity; as an intelligent horse, he knows what it's all about, and has learned that he has plenty of time to assert his dominance. Or, might it have been something else? He was sweating profusely between his hind legs that day, something I'd never noticed previously. Perhaps that was merely a function of camera angles that were unavailable for a couple of his previous races, but I didn't see any significant sweat in that area in the replay of the Guineas. Moreover, from what I saw on the Juddmonte video, the usually lathered Mastercraftsman was rather cool, by his standards. Another trivial Sea the Stars factoid, or another piece of the Juddmonte puzzle? Straightening into the stretch, the Ballydoyle pacemakers separated to open up a seam for Mastercraftsman between them, in a maneuver worthy of Frederick the Great's cavalry. Mastercraftsman barreled right through to take the lead, getting first run on Sea the Stars. The pacemakers' jockeys executed the first part of the play beautifully, but surely, the idea was to bar the door after Mastercraftsman had flown, and force Sea the Stars to go around, right? They failed to come together again, however, and thereby left the door open for a bold Kinane to follow aboard Sea the Stars. At this point, Sea the Stars was just galloping behind Mastercraftsman, who was already feeling Johnny Murtagh's whip in his first start beyond one mile. It was not a question of whether Sea the Stars would win, but rather, by how much, once he had cruised past the flagging Mastercraftsman. Or so it looked. A superbly game Mastercraftsman responded to Murtagh's urgings, picked up the pace, and poached a couple of lengths from Sea the Stars. Although Kinane promptly shook the reins, Sea the Stars did not pick up, or even seem to be in the process of picking up. Mastercraftsman kept on plugging, and Sea the Stars appeared mortal. When push came to shove, though, Sea the Stars did what all true champions do when staring defeat in the face -- he found another gear. Finally summoning his hitherto missing power, he wore down Mastercraftsman in the shadow of the wire to score by one length. Whether Sea the Stars was nearly upset because of the peculiarities inherent in a short field, or because of a heroic effort by Mastercraftsman, I'm not sure that we saw the same horse who turned the Guineas/Derby/Eclipse triple without a fuss. If Sea the Stars did not run up to his absolute best, it's all the more remarkable that the bay colt still broke the course record for 1 1/4 miles, 88 yards. As an indication of how hard Sea the Stars tried at York, how he gave all he had, just look at his ears: not only were they pinned back as he fought tooth and nail, but they were still pinned back for some way on the gallop-out. Contrast this body language with his three prior conquests, where his ears shot up either at or just after the wire. "The ears never lie," as esteemed horsewoman and commentator Charlsie Cantey once said. But, the key question is, what were Sea the Stars' ears telling us after the Juddmonte? "That'll teach you a thing or two, Mastercraftsman," is a lot different from, "That was brutal. I'd rather not have to do that again." While we have no idea what was going through Sea the Stars' head, we do know what Murtagh reportedly said to Kinane on the gallop-out: "See you at Leopardstown." Murtagh was referring, of course, to the fact that O'Brien's Irish Derby (Ire-G1) hero FAME AND GLORY (Montjeu [Ire]) is lying in wait for Sea the Stars in Saturday's Irish Champion S. (Ire-G1) at Leopardstown. Unlike Mastercraftsman, who cracked late in the final yards of the Juddmonte, the proven stayer Fame and Glory won't be looking for the wire at the end of the 1 1/4-mile Irish Champion. Furthermore, while Sea the Stars has been running the Ballydoyle gauntlet in July and August, Fame and Glory has been resting since his impressive five-length score at the Curragh in late June. Fame and Glory suffered his only loss when runner-up to Sea the Stars at Epsom, and his connections have emphasized that he has improved a lot in the interim. He must have improved, in order to turn the tables. All things being equal, the 1 1/4-mile distance should tend to the advantage of Sea the Stars, but in the wake of the Juddmonte, maybe things aren't equal. Remember that, for the first half of the season, Sea the Stars was emulating the mighty Nashwan. After taking the Guineas, Derby and Eclipse, Nashwan lined up in the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Diamond S. (Eng-G1), where he had to dig deep to prevail. Sea the Stars sidestepped the King George for the Juddmonte, but he too had to dig deep to prevail. So what happened to Nashwan after the King George? He was upset in the Prix Niel (Fr-G2) and never raced again. If the pattern holds, Sea the Stars might be vulnerable in the Irish Champion. Militating against all of this long-distance speculation, however, is the reliable testimony of Oxx. An outstanding horseman, he is adamant that Sea the Stars exited the Juddmonte in great form, and I would sooner defer to his judgment until a conclusive verdict is rendered on the racecourse. Unfortunately, the weather may again wreak havoc with the eagerly-anticipated Sea the Stars vs. Fame and Glory rematch. With rain in the forecast, the going may turn soft at Leopardstown, and in that case, Sea the Stars would be withdrawn. Oxx has indicated that he would then point for the October 4 Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe (Fr-G1). While I understood Oxx's decision to scratch Sea the Stars from the 1 1/2-mile Irish Derby because he feared testing conditions, I am much more dismayed at the prospect of this equine superstar ducking a 1 1/4-mile event on account of the ground, when stamina would not be an issue. It may be a prudent decision to avoid a possible loss, but don't we want our historic champions to face a modicum of adversity? Sea the Stars won on rain-softened ground twice as a juvenile, including the Beresford S. (Ire-G2), so it's not as if he can't stand up in the soft. Oxx's rebuttal is that he needs good going to prosper at Group 1 level -- fair enough. But what if Sea the Stars takes his chance on ground that the whole world knows is against him, and he exceeds expectations? What if he triumphs over the conditions, or is just narrowly beaten? Wouldn't he be hailed for his effort, in victory or defeat, and his conqueror accordingly reduced to the status of "winner through meteorological assistance?" How often have we learned the true mettle of a champion in an honorable loss? If Sea the Stars continues to play it safe, does he not run the risk of being reduced to a "sunshine patriot" or a "fair-weather friend" in the record book? Put another way, doesn't he deserve the opportunity to prove himself in contrary circumstances, or be admired in the attempt? While the Irish Champion would lose luster without Sea the Stars, it would still serve its purpose as a test of the three-year-olds against the older generation. In addition to Fame and Glory, Mastercraftsman was an unexpected entrant for O'Brien, and the elder brigade will be ably represented by CASUAL CONQUEST (Hernando [Fr]). Since the four-year-old rolled to a 5 1/2-length score in the May 24 Tattersalls Gold Cup (Ire-G1), trainer Dermot Weld has managed him carefully with a view to a fall campaign. Casual Conquest was under consideration for the Juddmonte, but when the ground at York was expected to be too firm for him, Weld opted for the August 16 Royal Whip S. (Ire-G2) at the Curragh. On soft to heavy going in Ireland, Casual Conquest drove to a 1 1/4-length victory, with the third-placer another 13 lengths adrift. Ideally, the ground for the Irish Champion will provide a happy medium to suit both Sea the Stars and Casual Conquest. Whatever happens from this point forward, Sea the Stars has already earned his way into the pantheon, and he will be the benchmark by which classic winners are judged for the next decade, if not longer. Not only has he garnered four of the sport's most prestigious prizes, but he has defeated outstanding rivals in each of them. This comes ever more clearly into focus when we look at the recent exploits of his former victims. Reigning Breeders' Cup Turf (G1) champion CONDUIT (Ire) (Dalakhani), third in the Eclipse last time out when giving Sea the Stars 11 pounds, returned to capture the July 25 King George at Ascot. The four-year-old thus put himself in line for a crack at the Arc, followed by a title defense in the Breeders' Cup. The Sir Michael Stoute charge was workmanlike rather than spectacular in the 1 1/2-mile contest. Held up off the pace, as usual, Conduit collared his stablemates TARTAN BEARER (Spectrum) and ASK (GB) (Sadler's Wells) en route to a 1 3/4-length decision. The trio made history for Stoute, who became the first trainer to sweep the top three placings in the King George. The disappointments of the King George were last year's Oaks (Eng-G1) heroine LOOK HERE (Hernando [Fr]), who ran well below her best in a lackluster sixth, and last year's Irish Derby winner FROZEN FIRE (Montjeu [Ire]), who for some inscrutable reason chased the pacemaker and was finished early. After that dismal seventh, Frozen Fire was deemed expendable by Ballydoyle. He has since been sold and transferred to Mike de Kock, along with this season's Irish Derby runner-up and King George fifth GOLDEN SWORD (High Chaparral [Ire]). Perhaps there's hope that Frozen Fire can be rehabilitated. As professional as Conduit was in the King George, he would have found his task that much tougher had Sea the Stars or Fame and Glory shown up. Even allowing for the fact that Conduit was trained to the minute to peak for the King George, and that the distance suited him far better than the 1 1/4-mile Eclipse, it's questionable whether all of that would have been enough to erase his 5 1/2-length deficit with Sea the Stars from the Eclipse. After all, Conduit would still have been conceding lumps of weight to a more talented rival. Conduit was not the only Eclipse alumnus to go on and land a notable prize at the European classic distance. Eclipse sixth JUKEBOX JURY (Montjeu [Ire]) has bounced back to defeat older horses a couple of times. Just this past Sunday, the Mark Johnston sophomore was all heart to land the Grand Prix de Deauville (Fr-G2) at 12 1/2 furlongs, setting up a possible bid for the October 17 Canadian International (Can-G1). Sea the Stars' form also stands out in the mile division. RIP VAN WINKLE (Galileo [Ire]), who had challenged Sea the Stars in the Eclipse before settling for second, rewarded O'Brien's and Murtagh's faith in him next time out in the July 29 Sussex S. (Eng-G1) at Glorious Goodwood. Showing magnificent cruising speed in his cut-back to a mile, Rip Van Winkle struck the front early when his beleaguered rabbit gave way, and he proceeded to rout the accomplished older male miler PACO BOY (Desert Style) by 2 1/2 lengths, with the disappointing filly GHANAATI (Giant's Causeway) another four lengths adrift in third. This wasn't Ghanaati's true running, for she never kicked into gear, and she exited the Sussex a bit stiff. According to Sheikh Hamdan's racing manager, Angus Gold, she subsequently paid a visit to a chiropractor. In any event, even a razor-sharp Ghanaati must have found "Rip" too hot to handle, but I'd have to think she would have beaten Paco Boy with her 11-pound advantage at the weights. It must be pointed out that Rip wasn't in good shape after the Sussex either. Nearly withdrawn after a last-minute injury scare, he was sound to run, but came out of the race with a foot injury. Rip has since returned to training, and if his recovery continues apace, he will stick to a mile in the September 26 Queen Elizabeth II S. (Eng-G1) at Ascot. DELEGATOR (Dansili [GB]), who finished a gallant second to Sea the Stars in the Guineas and to Mastercraftsman in the St. James's Palace S. (Eng-G1), returned to action with an authoritative decision over older horses in last Saturday's Celebration Mile (Eng-G2) at Goodwood. Making his first start since being snapped up by Godolphin, the bay colt was caught in traffic at a crucial point in the stretch. Frankie Dettori managed to extricate him in time, and Delegator produced an electric turn of foot to win by 1 1/2 lengths. Godolphin's Simon Crisford reported that Delegator is heading to the Queen Elizabeth II, followed by a tilt at the November 7 Breeders' Cup Mile (G1). Hence the Breeders' Cup-bound Delegator is on a collision course with reigning Breeders' Cup Mile superstar GOLDIKOVA (Ire) (Anabaa), who has turned in a pair of astonishing efforts at Deauville. Indeed, the Freddie Head filly is in the form of her life at present, a scary proposition considering how good she was last year. Her first Deauville exhibition came at the expense of fellow distaffers in the August 2 Prix Rothschild (Fr-G1). Goldikova was traveling with ominous ease as she stalked her pacemaker, and as all of her rivals felt pressure to keep up, she was still on the bridle. With the slightest, most delicate of cues from Olivier Peslier, she cleared right away from the field and won gearing down by 1 1/2 lengths. The sophomore ELUSIVE WAVE (Elusive City), who had captured the Poule d'Essai des Pouliches (French One Thousand Guineas) (Fr-G1) two starts back, deserves great credit for chasing Goldikova all the way to the line, pulling three lengths ahead of third. In most years, Elusive Wave would have probably rated as a smart winner. The Rothschild was but a warm-up act for Goldikova's humbling of males in the August 16 Prix Jacques le Marois (Fr-G1). Again striding along well within herself early, she was at one moment cruising on even terms with AQLAAM (Oasis Dream [GB]), and in a blink-and-you-miss-it moment, Goldikova was suddenly well in front. She produced a blinding burst of speed to score by six lengths from Aqlaam, who was a strong runner-up after forcing the issue with Goldikova's rabbit. Indeed, Aqlaam was himself five lengths clear of VIRTUAL (Pivotal) in third. Like Elusive Wave in the Rothschild, Aqlaam would have won most past editions of the Marois. Bolstering the visual impression was Goldikova's time -- a stakes record 1:33.50, smashing the former mark of 1:34.40 set by Breeders' Cup Mile winner Spinning World in 1997. Nor was she beating up on a bunch of hapless weaklings. The highly-regarded Aqlaam was exiting a victory in the Summer Mile (Eng-G2); Virtual had landed the Lockinge S. (Eng-G1) earlier this season; and finishing behind them were the winners of the Mehl-Mulhens Rennen (German Two Thousand Guineas) (Ger-G2), Poule d'Essai des Poulains (French Two Thousand Guineas) (Fr-G1), Prix d'Ispahan (Fr-G1) and Dubai Duty Free (UAE-G1). After the Marois, Head compared Goldikova favorably to Hall of Famer Miesque, whom he rode to back-to-back triumphs in the Breeders' Cup Mile. "I think she is superior to Miesque as she is better in the head," Head was quoted as saying in Racing Post. Goldikova will try to validate that judgment with a title defense in the Breeders' Cup Mile. She is expected to use the October 3 Prix de la Foret (Fr-G1) as a stepping stone to Santa Anita. While Goldikova will not line up to defend her title in Sunday's Prix du Moulin de Longchamp (Fr-G1), her form will be advertised by Elusive Wave, Aqlaam and Virtual. An Irish invader in the shape of FAMOUS NAME (Dansili [GB]) could upset the apple cart, however. Trained by Weld, the Juddmonte Farms homebred has enjoyed a campaign similar to that of his stablemate Casual Conquest. Since finishing runner-up to Casual Conquest in the 10 1/2-furlong Tattersalls Gold Cup, Famous Name has been demolishing lesser opponents over shorter trips, capped by a 4 1/2-length coup in the August 16 Desmond S. (Ire-G3). He fits at this level, judging by his near-miss from a horrible draw in the 2008 Prix du Jockey Club (French Derby) (Fr-G1). Just as Conduit and Goldikova have announced their respective Breeders' Cup intentions, so has MIDDAY (Oasis Dream [GB]) entered calculations for the November 6 Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf (G1). The Henry Cecil filly rebounded from her disconsolate run in the Irish Oaks (Ire-G1) to take the August 1 Nassau S. (Eng-G1) at Glorious Goodwood in decisive fashion. Moving conspicuously well at every stage, Midday swept to the front heading into the cloudy mist, and once reappearing from the gloom, she maintained a 2 1/4-length advantage over RAINBOW VIEW (Dynaformer), with HEAVEN SENT (Pivotal) and a few other older distaffers up the track. This was the Midday I knew and loved from Lingfield and Epsom earlier this year. The Juddmonte Farms homebred now has her sights set on the Prix de l'Opera (Fr-G1) on the Arc undercard. The Nassau form will be tested in Saturday's Matron S. (Ire-G1) at Leopardstown, where Rainbow View and Heaven Sent will square off against Irish One Thousand Guineas (Ire-G1) heroine AGAIN (Danehill Dancer) and Weld's MAD ABOUT YOU (Ire) (Indian Ridge), back from her seventh-place effort in the Beverly D. S. (G1) at Arlington. In contrast to Midday's bolstering her reputation, SARISKA (Pivotal), who had beaten her in both the Epsom and Irish Oaks, was upset as the heavy odds-on choice in the August 20 Yorkshire Oaks (Eng-G1). At first, I thought that rider Jamie Spencer deserved a share of the blame (what else would you expect from an old Powerscourt [GB] fan?) for being a trifle overconfident. Reserved well off the pace, behind the top-notch older filly DAR RE MI (Singspiel [Ire]), he seemed to let that redoubtable rival steal a march on him. When Spencer let Sariska go, she could not overhaul Dar Re Mi and settled for second, beaten three-quarters of a length. Soon after the race, however, trainer Michael Bell reported that Sariska had just come into season. That could easily account for her failure to fire, while letting Spencer off the hook. At this writing, Sariska is still under consideration for the Arc. Regardless of Sariska's excuse, Dar Re Mi is a tough horse to pass in any circumstance, and she ran on strongly while conceding 10 pounds to her three-year-old rival. The John Gosden four-year-old is targeting the September 13 Prix Vermeille (Fr-G1), which promises to serve up an epic clash with unbeaten Prix de Diane (French Oaks) (Fr-G1) star STACELITA (Monsun). Looking further ahead, Dar Re Mi has been mentioned as a candidate for the Filly & Mare Turf. The Vermeille could also include the sharp four-year-old ALPINE ROSE (Linamix). Runner-up when facing males two back in the Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud (Fr-G1), the Alain de Royer-Dupre trainee is coming off a brave victory in the August 23 Prix Jean Romanet (Fr-G1) at Deauville. Despite being in season, and not relishing the fast surface, Alpine Rose found a way to deny Godolphin's LADY MARIAN (Nayef) by a short head. According to frogsracing.com, she posted a new stakes record of 2:05.50 for 1 1/4 miles. The Vermeille is just one of three Arc trials at Longchamp on September 13. The Prix Niel will feature Arc-bound sophomore colts like CAVALRYMAN (Halling), hero of the Grand Prix de Paris (Fr-G1), and the Aga Khan's BEHESHTAM (Peintre Celebre), who will try to redeem his tarnished brand. Several notable older males are in the mix for the Prix Foy (Fr-G2) -- last year's French Derby winner VISION D'ETAT (Chichicastenango), last seen garnering the Prince of Wales's S. (Eng-G1) at Royal Ascot; Godolphin's SCHIAPARELLI (Monsun), who comes off scores in the two-mile Goodwood Cup (Eng-G2) on July 30 and the 1 7/8-mile Prix Kergorlay (Fr-G2) on August 23; and Juddmonte's CROSSHARBOUR (Zamindar), a Group 2-winning half-brother to 2006 Arc victor Rail Link (Dansili [GB]), who resurfaced after a 10-month layoff to capture the August 15 Prix Gontaut-Biron (Fr-G3) at Deauville. Juddmonte has a serious Arc player in SPANISH MOON (El Prado [Ire]), who exits a score over the aforementioned Alpine Rose and YOUMZAIN (Sinndar) in the Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud. The Stoute trainee is nominated to the Foy, but I have not seen a confirmation of his intentions at this point. Youmzain, who has finished runner-up in the past two Arcs, is venturing to Germany for his final prep. The Mick Channon veteran is slated to run in Sunday's Grosser Preis von Baden (Ger-G1), where he will be ridden by the newly-returned Kieren Fallon. Spearheading the home defense will be once-beaten Deutsches Derby (Ger-G1) hero WIENER WALZER (Dynaformer) and his older stablemate GETAWAY (Monsun). The two Jens Hirschberger charges put on a riveting stretch battle in the August 16 Rheinland-Pokal (Ger-G1) last time out. Wiener Walzer set a leisurely pace, Getaway challenged him at the top of the stretch, a see-saw battle ensued, and Wiener Walzer won on the head-bob while receiving 10 pounds from Getaway. Of course, the Arc trials are not the only important events around this time of year. For the St Leger (Eng-G1), the oldest classic race in the world, will be contested on September 12. The renewal at Doncaster will have a decidedly what-might-have-been feel about it, for Sea the Stars was in a position to become the first English Triple Crown legend since Nijinsky II in 1970, only to spurn the chance. Some time ago, Oxx was quick to rule out the 1 3/4-mile, 132-yard test as a bridge too far for the colt, while expressing confidence that a more stoutly-bred horse will sweep the elusive crown in the foreseeable future. As a believer in the English Triple Crown, I have mixed views on this decision. I would love to see an heir to Nijinsky, and Sea the Stars' class may well have overcompensated for any possible "stamina gap." On the other hand, my instinct is that Oxx made the right call. A grueling St Leger -- which win or lose, would be grueling for a horse far exceeding his comfort zone -- would effectively be the end of his three-year-old season, and with a four-year-old campaign being unthinkable for a horse of his value, the end of his career. Would it be worth it to sacrifice any future glory in the hope of having an English Triple Crown winner? If a horse had a high probability of handling the trip, I'd say yes, in a heartbeat. If it's questionable, I'd have to agree with Oxx. Sea the Stars will instead exert his electromagnetic presence from afar in the St Leger, with a couple of his former victims looming as prime threats. Godolphin's KITE WOOD (Galileo [Ire]), only ninth to Sea the Stars in the Derby, has won both of his subsequent starts in fine style, including a 3 1/2-length thrashing of older horses in the August 15 Geoffrey Freer S. (Eng-G3) at Newbury. O'Brien's AGE OF AQUARIUS (Galileo [Ire]), seventh in the Derby, rebounded to finish a battling second in the Grand Prix de Paris. Oxx will still be represented by MOURAYAN (Alhaarth), who was chasing Fame and Glory through the spring and early summer. What a compliment it would pay to Sea the Stars, if his overshadowed stablemate were to lift the St Leger? From Sea the Stars' viewpoint, the least flattering St Leger result would be a victory by an upwardly mobile type whom he did not meet early in the season -- such as Juddmonte's FATHER TIME (Dansili [GB]), an impressive winner of the King Edward VII S. (Eng-G2) two back; Godolphin's Derby Italiano (Ity-G2) scorer MASTERY (Sulamani [Ire]); or O'Brien's CHANGINGOFTHEGUARD (Montjeu [Ire]), an unlucky second versus older horses in the August 19 Ebor H. at York. Our next issue will recap the Irish Champion, Prix du Moulin, St Leger and Queen Elizabeth II, and look ahead to the Arc.
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