Sea The Star's rating is just not Right

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By Arsène ABITBOL - 16th Jan. 15.33 pm
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136 lbs...That's what Sea The Stars was given after his gliterring career...That is what was awarded 3 y.o who made history when he romped home in the 2,000 Guineas , The Epsom Derby and the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe - video link -. To start with, he is the only one who has done this !

Secondly, he broke the track record in the Coral-sponsored Eclispe Stakes, completing the 10 f in 2'03''40... What else can handicappers expect ?? The horse beat what he was given to beat. He is smart, so he doesn't enjoy making too much and saves his gears and effort. That is his temper because he is smart. So much so, that when parading in the paddock on 4th October (Arc Day), many French jockeys said they had never ever seen such a cool horse.

Similarly to Zarkava who was given a dismal rating, Sea The Stars never dug further than 80 % of his capabilities. I am not making this up as his partner Mick Kinane spoke about 80 % ... Handicappers should have taken this into account...they might have, but certainly not enough..Anyhow, 136 lbs is just not right, and it is not a fair tribute to an exceptional thoroughbred of his calibre. Peintre Célèbre was rated 137 and I am curious to know if the handicapper at the time was the same because, make no mistake, The Wildenstein horse, was a fantastic racehorse and a great tribute to French racing (myself beign a French national) but he did not achieve what S.T.S achieved.

An interview with Mick Kinane

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By ARSENE ABITBOL - 11th Jan - pm
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I was very lucky to be able to speak to the Great Mick Kinane, one of the jockeys I have amways admired, and that I still admire. It is not very journalistic nor professional to say that but it's necessary to say what one feels sometimes.. Anyway, here is the interview I did with Mick Kinane shortly after he decided to retire in December 2009, shortly after the Great Sea The Stars outclassed his rivals in the Qatar Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe, at Longchamp.

How did it feel to ride after Sea The Stars' romp in the Arc ?

"(long sighs)...It was fun , I had a good time in South Africa but I knew the end was coming soon. In Japan, I decided to call it an end. I love riding horses even if it doesn't mean the same to me when I am not on board Sea The Stars ... he is unique. At 50, I say to myself, that I had a fabulous career and Sea The Stars allowed me to leave on the highest note. He brought me so much. Anytime, I talk about him, it's moving. "

Sea The Stars meant so much to you, did he not ?

"He is an outstanding thoroughbred (very emotional) . He is got it all, he has no weaknesses, he has got a great physique, the strongest mind and an impressive natural speed. Above all, he so cold-blooded, nothing bothers him, that is his main strength to me. 99 % of all racehorses get hyperactive aft er they 've had a race but him....never. I have never seen such calmness. He won the Arc de Triomphe so easily .. I can say for sure, he was only at 80 per cent, he didn't need to dig more than that. His engine is just "untrue"

"Sea The Stars thought the race wasn't over "

When the race was finished, Christophe Soumillon wanted to grab my hand to congratulate me but Sea The Stars felt a horse was coming (Stacelita), so he took me and went further clear ! I couldn't do anything ! (laughs) ! It gives you an idea about his shape after such a race as The Arc... He was fresh and thought the race wasn't over. He is extremely calm but has a domineering attitude.

"I want to take some time "

What are your plans now ?

"I'll continue riding horses for John Oxx, about twice a week, I wouls say. I intend to stay fit and this will get me out of bed in the morning ! I have a lot of gratitude for John, and I wish to help out as much as I can. On the other hand, I want to take time. For my family and my hobbies. I enjoy playing golf. Myself and my wife Catherine play regularly. I also spend time gardening in my farm and from time to time, I go sailing."

"I am passionate about breeding "

"I was fortunate enough to breed Authorized (Derby winner) with 2 associates and friends. I am very proud of him and I felt a huge satisfaction when he won this Classic. I have a small breeding operation where we have 3 mares. It 's named Eadling Farm."

"Sea The Stars should make an outstanding stallion "

It's a delicate question, but how do see his career as a stallion ?

"(very assertive) He should make a great stallion. I really don't see why he wouldn't be very good. His pedigree is outstanding, he's a brother to Galileo and his Dam, Urban Sea produced exceptionnally well...

"The French always welcomed me very warmly"

Many fans here will miss you, you know...

"I have had great moments I 'll never forget in France and racing fans, jockeys and trainers always gave me a warm welcome. Maybe, I'll pay a visit one of these days.

Why Denman will beat Kauto Star ...

Who's got the ability to defeat the dual Gold Cup winner Kauto Star ? Given his latest romp in the King George VI Chase (Gr I)...There aren't many candidates... There's just one. Denman. Not only "the tank" is its unique challenger, but he is the one who's about to end Kauto's reign in March...So why Denman will beat Kauto Star in the 2010 Cheltenham Gold Cup ?


If Denman was a man he would be 7 ft tall and would weigh around 300 pounds. Not only would he be a giant, but he would be articulate, agile, fit and toned. Denman's physique is impressive and so is his ability to deal with the hardest fences in the world. He has never been in the Grand National, but when you see Denman's agility, would you honestly think, Aintree would pose any kind of problem ? In all honesty, I don' t think so... The fact is Denman is the most fluent over fences. He is so spontaneous...he's sometimes unreal.

One has to admit that Kauto Star (FR) is an exceptional horse, a true champion, who has achieved what only Desert Orchid has achieved in the King George VI and Kauto Relka's son is a "special horse". I would say that right-handed, he is untouchable. No one, even Denman , or any given chaser can't even think about approaching him. He is too far ahead. He has got no one to match him. The only horse that can match him is himself. Meaning, he 'll lose only if he fells. Otherwise, he is just untrue on a right-handed track.

That's Denman's weakness. Denman is not a fan of Kempton and isn't so easy right-handed. He is so powerful and fluent that he's at his best on undulating, tough, left-handed galloping tracks. Like Cheltenham. Aintree is too flat for him. After he 's had his heart operation, Denman came back a few weeks later to finish 7 lengths behind Kauto Star in the 2009 Gold Cup. What an extraordinary performance !!!


There's just a word to describe such an achievement : "Class" . Would you be able to run a 1 500 metres after having a fibrillating heart a few months earlier ? And finish 10 metres behind the reigning world champion ?

Sam Thomas' mount did. Denman did. He is so gifted, and I'm very convinced he is even more natural and flawless than Kauto Star when it comes to jump technique. I believe the 2010 Cheltenham Gold Cup is a very obvious matter. If and if only Denman's back to his best, which might be the case (His 2009 Hennessy Gold Cup win at Newbury is a good indicator) in March 2010? Then...then.. There will be no rematch. Denman's going to beat Kauto.

Plain and simple. At his best, he'll set a frantic tempo, and will dishearten his rivals one after the other. Even Kauto will struggle to follow in the final 500 yards, that's for sure, because that's what happened in 2008 an 2010 is about to repeat !! To say the truth, I am happy about that. I am a Denman fan. I am French, so is Kauto Star, but Denman is truly the greatest at Cheltenham. If he is at his top of his game, physically, he will beat Kauto and anyone else.
See you in March.