The BBC2’s coverage last Sunday from Longchamp of the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe was terrific for the armchair viewer. Of course the star of the show was Sea the Stars. His performance in the race was staggering. He pulled very hard in the early stages of the race which was reminiscent of New Approach in the English Derby last year. However when asked to go by his jockey Mick Kinane he showed a fantastic turn of foot to cut through the field and win as he wanted. I know Timeform and the official handicapper Phil Smith can only rate him on his winning margin over Youmzain, but for me this horse has acheived more than Sea Bird II and should be rated right up there with him. He has won six Group 1 races in a season which has included the 2000 Guineas, the Derby and the Arc de Triomphe. His win on Sunday was emotional for those of us that love racing and was also good for racing in general. It even got a mention on the National news ! I guess that will be the last we will see of him on the racecourse as I doubt whether he will be sent to America for the Breeders Cup.