SEA THE STARS TRIUMPHS

COOL, calm and collected. That's all there was to say about Sea The Stars as he confirmed himself the true superstar of racing with a superb Eclipse Stakes win at Sandown.

As at Epsom, John Oxx's champion looked a different class before and during the 10 furlong test which saw himself and his 2,000 Guineas and Derby victim Rip Van Winkle easy winners of the Generation Game.

Mick Kinane took his time on the 4-7 favourite, before moving smoothly to the front two furlongs out.

Rip Van Winkle looked dangerous at the furlong pole, but Sea The Stars had plenty in reserve before running out a comfortable length winner.

There were four lengths back to last year's St Leger and Breeders' Cup turf winner Conduit.

Kinane, 50, was landing the Eclipse for the fourth time, and described Sea The Stars as "exceptional" before adding: "There will be more to come as he will get better as he matures.

"He's so quick out of the stalls and it was almost as if I hit the front too soon, but it was hard for me to stop him."

The excitement got too much for his owner, Hong Kong-based nightclub owner Christopher Tsui, who fainted just after his winner passed the post.

Fortunately, he recovered to welcome Sea The Stars into the winner's enclosure.

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