Blueblood
Sea the Stars stallion Crystal Ocean made light of the pouring rain at Royal Ascot
overnight to score his first Group I win in in the Prince of Wales's Stakes (1m2f).
Trained by Sir Michael Stoute for his owner breeder Sir Evelyn de Rothscild,
Crystal Ocean scored a length and a quarter win over Coolmore's star Galileo
mare Magical, who was gallant in defeat as the favourite.
Winner of the Group II Hardwicke Stakes at this meeting last year, the five year-old
was Group I placed twice last year and was in hot form coming into this race
with Group wins at his first two runs back this year.
"He was very tough," said winning rider
Frankie Dettori. "I decided I had to kick around the turn and get them all
at it. He responded well and kept going, so I was sure it would take a good one
to get past me."
Owner Sir Evelyn de Rothschild is keen that his
homebred hero will get the chance to sire progeny of his own.
"When you look at his record he has been quite amazing," said De
Rothschild. "I hope someone at some point will take him to a stud
somewhere. I want to race him for the whole of this year and then I'll see if
someone gets excited."
Crystal Ocean has the overall record of eight wins and seven placings from 15 starts
and is a sibling to Group I winner Hillstar, Group II winner Crystal Capella and
stakes-winner Crystal Zvezda from blue hen stakes-winner Crystal Star.
Crystal Ocean is the 11th Group I winner for Galileo's half-brother
Sea the Stars, who was making news in Australia earlier this week when one of
his daughters topped the broodmare section of the Inglis Great Southern Sale. Read
about Queen of the World here.