Sea The Stars Defies Trouble in Running to Win Arc De Triomphe

Sea The Stars secured a place among the all-time greats with victory in the Qatar Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe at Longchamp today.

The 4-6 favorite completed his sixth straight Group One triumph despite pulling far too hard in the early stages, getting into a poor position and being stuck on the inside behind a wall of horses on the turn into the straight.

Mick Kinane weaved his way through runners as his mount quickened up in the final two furlongs to beat Kieren Fallon on the fast-finishing Youmzain (20-1), second for the third year running for the trainer Mick Channon. The Frankie Dettori-ridden Cavalryman (12-1) stayed on for third, but was no match for the brilliant winner. The winner's trainer, John Oxx, said: "It's just a great relief. He always traveled strongly and had the gears to get out. Mick [Kinane] would not panic as he knew his horse had gears. We were not too alarmed at any stage."

Kinane reported: "We ended up in a position we didn't want to. They were going a nice pace though, but I knew we would need a bit of luck in the straight. He's a phenomenal horse."