You are quite right pN. He's had one runner and a very early one from a stable that normally waits until July. I think Sea the Stars will do fine and he has every chance of being as good a first season sire numerically as New Approach (having said that New Approach's second season is going to be tough to match!!!). He'll get 2yo winners from late July onwards when there are more races over 7 and 8f. (When we had a proper racing calendar the first 6f race for 2yos of the year wasn't until Derby Day and a 2yo couldn't run over 7f until early July).
New Approach, as a son of Galileo and a precocious 2yo, is probably the more attractive proposition at stud and the more likely to succeed at the top level. I can't remember anything starting as well as NA has and I imagine we'll see his stud fee rise again. But don't crab STS definitely not now after just one runner. Many of his are likely to be late types, because he was and also because of the type of mare he was likely sent. The Urban Sea factor bodes well for him and not to mention how fantastic he was on the racecourse. Certainly one shouldn't fall into the trap of thinking that because NA will likely be the better stallion at stud that it proves or even suggests he was the better racehorse.
That one's gone and bolted already GGW - Sea the Stars could produce 78 Group 1 winners and the Gold Cup, Champion hurdle and grand national winner as well as the Olympic 3 day eventing Gold medal horse and someone would still find cause to criticise him............
Slightly off topic I know, but according to Horse and Hound this week, Yeats first ever runner was a winner over in Italy over 7f. He has a filly running on the 13th June called Lady Yeats. One to watch perhaps?
Whitney family. I see that Sea the Stars is still 4/6 to be the leading money winning first season sire, though on wins Dandy Man is favourite.
CALORIE finished 4th last night after being badly hampered by a loose horse. Ironically, the winner BRACELET is out of SEA THE STAR's half-sister CHERRY HINTON.
I remember a lovely filly by the name of Cherry Hinton. Outstanding 2yo but not sure what happened after that; whether she was injured or just didn't train on. I believe she was a clear ante -post favourite for the classics. It can't be the same one can it Princess?
No, the one you remember Ron was a Harry Wragg trained Moller horse (Remember those chocolate and gold colours: Nijinsky out of the lovely filly Popkins). Champion 2yo filly but didn't train on and best effort was 3rd in Ribblesdale. Was a reasonable mare who threw a good colt in Red Glow who won the Dante and wasn't given the best of rides in the Derby by Mr Eddery.
Bustino is right, this particular CHERRY HINTON never one a race, but did finish 3rd in a G3 in Ireland and a creditable 5th behind LIGHT SHIFT in the Oaks.
I had a little e/w dabble on Calorie so watched the race last night. She was in the process of running a nice race until the horse stumbled and badly interfered with her. She must have lost half a dozen lengths on the field but stayed on again really pleasingly to finish 4th. She'll be winning races soon enough.
If ever a horse was nailed on to be a top sire it was New Approach, I never really got that feeling about Sea The Stars, I dont know why but hopefully he proves me wrong. Im sure he will get some nice looking, straightforward horses and im sure he will get some very good horses but I dont see him producing anything as good as him. He could be a good broodmare sire I think.
Harbingers first 2yos this season as well? be interesting to see how he does. I think he could be a big success in Japan, but Deep Impact looks their main sire just now.
I'm hoping STS might get some nice NH types Boris, once his stud fees have dropped. I could imagine Gigginstown Stud might be keeping a crafty eye on him.
Harbinger's first crop are only yearlings at the moment. Conduit has his first two year olds this year, but I am not aware of any in training in Europe, and just one in America.
I think because of Cape Cross not being a great sire, I also have a feeling STS might not be in the same league as NA/Galileo/Montjeu. STS was definitely still the better horse
Cape Cross isn't a bad sire, but he is unfashionable. His progeny never sell well at the sales, but he has 28% winners to runners. In comparison, Galileo has 35% winners to runners and Montjeu 29% - his figures don't look bad at all.
