The only horse to conquer three distinct European classics in one year

Countries & Cities · Published 15 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: In 2009, a single Thoroughbred achieved what many thought impossible: winning the 2000 Guineas, the Epsom Derby, and the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe. This feat cemented Sea The Stars as a generational talent, moving from a green debut to becoming one of the greatest racehorses of all time.

Sea The Stars' rise was marked by remarkable consistency and elite performance. After a modest fourth-place debut in 2008 at Curragh, he quickly ascended to dominance. His three-year-old campaign in 2009 is frequently cited as the best of modern thoroughbred racing, during which he secured six Group 1 victories in just six months. This included winning the 2000 Guineas and the Eclipse Stakes before capturing the Epsom Derby—a victory where jockey Mick Kinane described the experience as feeling like moving in 'slow motion.'

The pinnacle of his career came on October 4, 2009, at the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe. Despite concerns that a long season and a large field of nineteen runners would be too taxing, Sea The Stars produced a decisive turn of foot to win by two lengths. This victory made him the only horse in history to win all three specific prestigious races in a single calendar year. His dominance was reflected in his official 2009 rating of 136, placing him six pounds superior to the second-rated horse, Goldikova.

His legacy extended far beyond the track as a sire at the Aga Khan's Gilltown Stud. He has already sired winners of 19 Group 1 races worldwide, including notable classic wins by Taghrooda and Sea The Moon. His pedigree is equally distinguished; he is a son of Urban Sea—one of the few mares to produce two Epsom Derby winners (including his half-brother Galileo)—and was bred by Sunderland Holdings Ltd.

By August 2026, his progeny had secured 50 Group 1 wins. As of 2024, his stud fee stood at €200,000, eventually increasing to €300,000 in 2026, reflecting his status as a cornerstone of modern European breeding.

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