SEA THE STARS AUTOGRAPH MONTAGE 100% ORIGINAL SIGNATURE

SEA THE STARS AUTOGRAPH MONTAGE – AWESOME ITEM ORIGINAL SIGNATURE

This is a cracking mounted display celebrating the wonder horse of 2009. Please note the pictures contained within this display are lab produced photographs and have not been produced on a home printer!

Mounted autograph of MICK KINANE who rode Sea The Stars.

The approx item size is 18”x14” in a Walnut frame. Please note that the item does not include the frame, however I am more than happy to provide the frame if you want to cover the postage cost and take responsibility if the glass becomes broken during transit, I don't trust the Post Office or alternatively it can be collected and the frame will be included free of charge.

After winning his maiden at the second attempt, Sea The Stars won the Group 2 2008 Beresford Stakes at the Curragh. Rested over the winter, John Oxx entered him into the 2009 2,000 Guineas without a prep race. Despite this, he started 8-1 in the betting behind the Craven Stakes winner Delegator (3/1f). There were concerns about his preparations because of a setback in March due to a slight temperature. He rested for 2 weeks, which hampered his training.

Travelling well throughout the race, he pulled clear of the field in the final furlong winning by 1 length from the favourite, with Gan Amhras ¾ of a length behind in third. Michael Kinane, winning his fourth 2,000 Guineas, later commented: "He's a classy horse and we've waited for him all winter. He's been crying out for this ground."

Despite doubts about his stamina and a strong field, notably from Ballydoyle who fielded 6 of the 12 runners, Sea The Stars won the 2009 Epsom Derby beating the favourite Fame and Glory, and Masterofthehorse (making it a 1-2-3 to Ireland). Mick Kinane (winning his 3rd derby two weeks shy of his 50th birthday) said of the winner "I was going so easy all the way, it was as if we were going in slow motion."

Sea the Stars was scratched from the 2009 Irish Derby due to the track conditions, but went on to win the Eclipse Stakes at Sandown Park a week later. Always travelling well, he overtook the fading pacemakers early down the straight, forcing Kinane to commit earlier than expected. Rip Van Winkle came with a strong challenge 2 furlongs out, but Sea The Stars fought him off with a surge of acceleration, winning readily by 1 1/2 lengths.

In August 2009, Sea the Stars won the Juddmonte International Stakes at York. Scaring off most of the opposition, only 4 horses were left in the race, 3 of them from Ballydoyle. Mastercraftsman, winner of 4 Group 1s including the Irish 2000 Guineas and the St. James's Palace Stakes at Ascot, was the main opposition with the 2 others acting as pacemakers. Tracking Mastercraftsman throughout the race, Kinane boldly followed Johnny Murtagh through a narrowing gap created by the 2 pacemakers at the beginning of the straight. Sea The Stars powered past Mastercraftsman in the last furlong, taking the Group 1 race by a length, breaking the track record by 0.8 seconds in doing so.

Next up was the Irish Champion Stakes at Leopardstown in September 2009. His first appearance in front of his home crowd since 2008, the race was billed as a clash between him and Fame and Glory, who since finishing 2nd in the Epsom Derby won the Irish Derby by 5 lengths and was rested for 2 months. The race was highly anticipated as the rematch during the Irish Derby was postponed due to ground conditions. Turning into the straight, Johnny Murtagh on board of Fame and Glory took the initiative and got 1st run on Sea The Stars. A patient Kinane stayed on Murtagh's heels and with a powerful burst of speed went easily past Fame and Glory 2 furlongs out to win by 2 1/2 lengths. Mastercraftsman, also in the race, finished 3rd another 2 1/2 lengths behind Fame and Glory. After his win in the Irish Champion Stakes, Sea the Stars was awarded a lofty 140 Timeform Rating.

On October 4th 2009, 6 months since his win in the 2000 Guineas, Sea The Stars lined up as the odds-on favourite for Europe's most prestigious race, the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe in France. A large field of 19 runners along with a long and difficult season were major concerns, many thinking this was one race too far. The race featured 9 other Group 1 winners, including the unbeaten French filly Stacelita, the Yorkshire Oaks and Pretty Polly Stakes winner Dar Re Mi, the Irish Derby winner Fame and Glory, the 2008 St Leger Stakes, 2008 Breeders' Cup Turf and King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes winner Conduit, the Prince of Wales's Stakes winner Vision D'Etat, the Grand Prix de Paris and Prix Niel winner Cavalryman and the 2 times Arc runner up Youmzain. Quick out of the gates, Sea The Stars pulled very hard for the first couple of furlongs, got bumped and dropped back down the field. Kinane was able to settle him and raced on in 8th and 9th position throughout the race. Turning into the straight, Sea The Stars stayed on the rail and seemed boxed in and in trouble. As the principals started to pick up Kinane was able to find a gap and challenged Stacelita alongside Dar Re Mi. Sea The Stars then unleashed his devastating turn of foot and in a matter of strides left the field in his wake and led by 3 lengths half a furlong out, winning the race by 2 lengths while eased down. He thus became the only horse to have won the 2,000 Guineas, Epsom Derby, and the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe in the same year.

His retirement was announced on 13th October 2009 by trainer John Oxx.