Sea the Stars beats Delegator in 2,000 Guineas

Sea the Stars trumped race favourite Delegator in the 2,000 Guineas on Saturday, handing trainer John Oxx the first 2,000 Guineas title of his career.

Delegator didn’t disappoint entirely in the race everyone had expected him to win, leading until the death, where Sea the Stars nudged in front for a 1½ length win. Gan Hamras wrapped up the placings, finishing third.

The Irish raider’s win handed Mick Kinane his fourth 2,000 Guineas title. Oxx meanwhile, has now won two out of the five Classics in his career, and is in good shape to achieve more Classics success when the series resumes across the Irish sea.

“He’s travelled wonderfully well throughout the race,” Oxx told reporters after the race. “You could see from a long way out that he was going to make it count. He quickened well into the Dip for a relatively inexperienced horse – the rising ground suited him and he really got home well.

“Everyone keeps saying he’s a Derby horse, thinking he’s a half-brother to Galileo. But he is by Cape Cross and shows a lot of speed – I didn’t want to miss the Guineas.”