Sea The Stars trainer John Oxx has confidence in Baaeed ahead of Juddmonte International at York

It has been 13 years since Oxx’s horse of his life enjoyed the season of all seasons as he won Group One six times in as many months to seal his status as one of the sport’s greatest horses of all time.

Victory in the 2000 Guineas over a mile, the distance over which Baaeed has previously excelled for William Haggas, saw him become the first horse since Nashwan in 1989 to follow in the derby over a mile and a half.

Sea The Stars successfully returned to a mile and a quarter to win the Coral-Eclipse, the Juddmonte International (replay below) and the Irish Champion Stakes before crowning his relatively short but glittering career by winning the Arc recovered over a mile and a half in Paris.

Betting-wise, the Cape Cross son has never been smaller than he was on the Knavesmire, and his now-huge fanbase ensured he was a 1/4 favorite to beat a trio of Aidan O’Brien-trained runners .

In truth it was essentially a match in which Mastercraftsman – fifth behind Sea The Stars in the Guineas but since successful in the Irish equivalent and the St James’s Palace Stakes – was beaten by two triple-figure stablemates, Cornish and Georgebernardshaw, for the, what was added was destined to be a tactical matter.

Just for a moment halfway down the York straight, it looked like Mastercraftsman and Johnny Murtagh might put red-hot favorite and his ever-present partner Mick Kinane in trouble after stretching into a clear lead, but Sea The Stars showed it reiterates his class and courage to mow him down and comfortably gain a shadow by a length.

Despite his star stallion’s slim chances, Oxx – who retired from training two years ago – insists he never took victory for granted.

“We had all angles covered with Sea The Stars in terms of distance to York but he still had a tough race that day,” he said.

“It ended up being just the four runners but Mastercraftsman was prepared to run for his life and you had the pacers and everything.

“When you have a horse like Sea The Stars you realize how hard Aidan O’Brien is to beat! He’ll have something set up for the occasion and Johnny Murtagh has since told me that they really got into Mastercraftsman that day and that he really was sparkling and at his best.

“They obviously broke the course record that day, so it was probably Mastercraftsman’s best run and he was only beaten in record time.”

Despite the win, Oxx feels Sea The Stars may not have been at absolute concert heights at York, given slightly more time allowed between races than at the start of the season.

He added: “I remember when Mick came in and left Sea The Stars he said he was coming for the run. Like I said, it was a course record time and he just blew a little harder that day.

“I missed the King George because after three races, the Guineas, the Derby and the Eclipse and he had a fever in March, I just felt like we’re going to pause and miss the King George and then finish with three races would race more.

“We really wanted to do a series of the big races because we knew he had the mental and physical constitution to do it. If he wanted to be one of the greats, he had to do something like that, so we really wanted to give him the tasks.

“Mick has always said that the ideal track for Sea The Stars is York. He thought this was the place for him as it favors a fast horse, a horse with acceleration and it’s a flat track with a long straight. I suppose that sealed the decision in my mind that we would go there.

“He didn’t really have a holiday between Sandown and York, but he galloped rather than did any quick work. He needed work and enjoyed the work. Although I thought I had him fit enough and he was fit enough to win, the run pushed him along a bit.

“He was better again when he went to Leopardstown and we thought he was better than ever when he went to the Arc. He was just beginning to mature and got better and better as the year went on.”

Since retiring at Giltown Stud in County Kildare, Sea The Stars has sired several top-class horses including winner Crystal Ocean by Prince of Wales, remarkable stayer Stradivarius, a heroine of Oaks and King George at Taghrooda and a Derby winner in Harzand.

However, Baaeed is the first to really prove his worth at the highest level over a mile, which makes Oxx happy – although he expects to do just as well into the unknown in York on Wednesday.

“I’ve been waiting for him to produce a top-notch Miler. Because he won the Derby and the Arc and all those other races, people forget that probably the most important race of the game was the 2000 Guineas,” he said.

“That win proved he had the class to be a Group 1 winner at a mile so there was no reason why he wouldn’t sire a Miler and I’m delighted that one has come – and an exceptional one moreover.

“It’s hard to believe it’s been 13 years – it’s flown by – but it’s nice to see such a fine Sea The Stars son back in York. He’s been great so far and seems a bit like his dad as he seems to know where the winning post is and when he’s done enough to win.

“It will be very interesting for everyone to see how he fares over the extra distance. He’s a great runner but I don’t think going further will be a problem.

“I think horses of this quality are more adaptable over distance than we as trainers often think. I think Baaeed has great class and obviously the pedigree to go further so hopefully he’ll enjoy the distance.”

While race-goers would certainly be keen to see Oxx make the journey to York, the recently turned 72-year-old happily watches from his home and longtime court at the Currabeg Stables – most likely with a cup of tea in hand and a big smile on his face when Baaeed manages to get a perfect 10 out of 10.

He said: “I’ll watch at home. I have nothing to do in York so I’ll be a TV viewer and look forward to it.

“It would be great if Baaeed could end the year undefeated, that would be great. Hopefully he stays fit, hale and hearty and all that.”

While happy about his retirement, Oxx occasionally takes the opportunity to visit his former warrior, adding, “I see him occasionally, he’s not too far away. I haven’t seen him in a while with Covid and all as I haven’t been jumping around as much as I usually do but I still see him and he’s still in great shape.

“He still looks a bit more like a racehorse than a fat old sack! He’s still in good, athletic form.”

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