Blueblood Stallion Wins G1 Prince of Wales’s Stakes

Tara Madgwick - Thursday June 20
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).

Crystal Ocean - image Royal Ascot TwitterTrained 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.

Advertisment
More Reading...
Cambridge Stud News
It’s been the spring that keeps giving for Cambridge Stud and it’s not over yet.
Better Than Ready's Port Lockroy Triumphs in G1 Railway Stakes
Interstate visitors have a poor winning record in the $1,500,000 Group 1 Swan Draught - Railway Stakes, but Port Lockroy played his part in squaring the ledger when choosing the perfect spot to end a run of bad luck in stakes races.
$1.3million Snitzel Colt Ready to Fire on Debut for Te Akau
Mark Walker and Sam Bergerson are confident they have the young firepower to make an early impression in the first of the black type features at Pukekohe Park on Saturday.
Wings Of Song Makes Stunning Return
A star of the carnivals in Tasmania and South Australia, Wings Of Song made a triumphant return from a 30-week break to capture Saturday’s Rosemont Stud Pendant (1400m) at Cranbourne.
Gringotts Continues Kiwi Winning Run in $1million The Gong
Kiwi bred Gringotts continued his coming-of-age campaign with a powerhouse front-running performance under 60kg to win Saturday’s Group III A$1 million The Illawarra Mercury Gong (1600m) at Kembla Grange.
Storyville Downs the Colts in G2 WA Guineas
The WA Champion Fillies Stakes heroine Storyville earned a shot at the Group 1 Northerly Stakes after she gave the colts a start and beating in Saturday’s $500,000 Group II White Claw - WA Guineas (1600m) at Ascot.
City of Troy Crowned 2024 Cartier European Horse of the Year
Outstanding Justify colt City of Troy was crowned Horse of the Year at the 2024 Cartier awards on Wednesday night in London at a star studded ceremony at the Dorchester Hotel.
Sires With Winners - Saturday November 23
Here is the full list of 117 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Sires With Winners - Friday November 22
Here is the full list of 46 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Yes Yes Yes Filly wins $100,000 Crystal Slipper
The $100,000 WATC Magic Millions Crystal Slipper (1100m) at Ascot on Saturday drew a competitive field of 13 and Yes Yes Yes filly Yes Queen produced a brilliant performance to score a dominant debut victory.