Oxx says Sea the Stars may not stay at Derby

John Oxx, trainer of surprise 2,000 Guineas winner Sea the Stars, has admitted that his stable star may lack the staying power to score a Classics double at the 1,4 mile Epsom Derby.

The 2,000 Guineas champion showed blistering pace as he took the first Classic of the year, but his Achilles heel may be his lack of experience over distances of greater than a mile. Oxx says that in terms of breeding he wouldn’t expect his Derby entry to last out the trip at Epsom.

“Everyone said he is a half-brother to Galileo, and therefore a Derby horse, but I knew he was speedy and his pedigree wasn’t that of a sure-fire stayer,” Oxx was quoted as saying by the Press Association. “I’d always had the Guineas in mind and he’s no more than a 50-50 chance of staying the Derby distance.”

Nevertheless, Oxx does expected Sea the Stars to try his best at Derby, and believes his horse has the character and ability to be able to excel at the biggest races.

“He’s a real tough horse, fine and big - you wouldn’t find fault with him at all. Time will tell, but he looks to have all the temperament qualities you’d want for the Derby.”

“We’d had to rush him a bit for the Guineas, so I’m happy it’s a five-week interval before Epsom. That said, he’s a very fresh sort and you wouldn’t want to be giving him many days off.”

“He cantered on the Wednesday after the Guineas and he looks well in himself. We never souped him up as a two-year-old, and he’s still laid-back, but he does enough.”