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The John Oxx-trained confirmed his greatness with a sixth consecutive Group One triumph. Brilliantly ridden by Mick Kinane, who has been at the helm for all nine of Sea The Stars’ racecourse appearances, the remarkable three-year-old emphatically justified 4-6 favouritism.

Youmzain, ridden by Kieren Fallon and trained by Mick Channon, finished second in the Arc for a third consecutive year.

The Frankie Dettori-ridden Cavalryman (12-1) stayed on for third, but was no match for the mercurial two-length winner.

Oxx said: “(My heart) is still beating fairly slow, I think. It’s wonderful that it’s over - it’s just a great relief.

“It’s wonderful that he’s come through it. He was in a nice position and he just had to step up the gears a bit to get out. Mick would not panic because this horse has the gears.

“That’s what any jockey will tell you, if the horse has the speed and the gears he will get himself out of trouble.”

It was the manner of Sea The Stars’ triumph which made his exploits in France all the more impressive.

Having been very keen, which resulted in him losing ground in the early throes of the race, many observers might have been forgiven for fearing the worst.

Even approaching the top of the home turn, Kinane’s partner was engulfed behind a wall of horses - with Set Sail and Grand Ducal ensuring a generous pace from the head of affairs.

Once the gaps appeared, however, the race changed suddenly.

Stacelita went for the jugular inside the final 300 yards but Sea The Stars had all bases covered under his unflappable rider.

Exhibiting a jaw-dropping turn of foot, the Cape Cross colt scampered clear inside the final 200 yards to easily repel the challenge of the game Youmzain.

Kinane said: “I ended up in a position I maybe didn’t want to, but I didn’t want to risk firing him up.

“They were going a nice pace and I knew I would need a bit of luck in the straight, no matter what happened, but I knew I had the pace to go anywhere I wanted. He’s a phenomenal horse.”

Courtesy: http://www.telegraph.co.uk 

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