[ad_1]
Edward whitaker
“title =” John Oxx with Mick Kinane and Sea The Stars, who won six consecutive group 1s in 2009 “class =” js-imageLoader “data-at-xn =” https://www.rp-assets.com/images /news/2016/07/10/7307-medium.jpeg “data-br-n =” https://www.rp-assets.com/images/news/2016/07/10/7307-medium.jpeg ” data-br-m = “https://www.rp-assets.com/images/news/2016/07/10/7307-large.jpeg” data-br-w = “https: //www.rp- assets.com/images/news/2016/07/10/7307-large.jpeg “data-br-xw =” https://www.rp-assets.com/images/news/2016/07/10/7307 -large.jpeg “onclick =” return false; “>
By David Jennings
Mick Kinane praised John Oxx as “a fantastic coach and an exceptional gentleman” on Monday after the Sea The Stars coach announced that he will be retiring at the end of the season.
Oxx, who turned 70 in July, has sent out 33 Group 1 winners during his 41 years as a coach, but will be remembered most for his handling of Sea The Stars, who went through a spectacular three-year campaign undefeated by winning the 2,000 Guineas. , the Derby, the Eclipse, the Juddmonte International, the Irish Champion Stakes and the Arc in 2009.
Oxx, who was crowned champion coach in 1995, told the Racing Post that he has no regrets about a training career that began in 1979. “The time is right and we are happy to stop at the end of the season,” Oxx said on Monday. in the afternoon.
“Obviously, you don’t make these kinds of decisions spontaneously, so it’s been on our minds for a few years, but we felt it was time.”
He added: “I have no regrets; we have had wonderful times. We were very, very fortunate to have very good owners and very good horses over the years.
“We had two horses that won the Derby and the Arc in the same year. Ridgewood Pearl was up there with the best I’ve ever had, she won four Pool 1s in four different countries and Timarida was a great filly too.
“I am extremely grateful to all the owners who sent me horses to train and to all the great riders who rode them and to all the exceptional staff who have worked for us. I will very much miss training for them, but now is a good time for me to stop. .
“My concern at this time is that our staff may find alternative employment as our training business will cease at the end of this turf season in November. I hope we can find someone who will also rent the yard.”
MARK CRANHAM
“title =” Sea The Stars: multiple winner of Group 1, one of Flat’s greats of all time “class =” js-imageLoader “data-at-xn =” https://www.rp-assets.com / images / news /2020/07/24/80933-medium.jpeg “data-br-n =” https://www.rp-assets.com/images/news/2020/07/24/80933-medium. jpeg “data-br-m =” https://www.rp-assets.com/images/news/2020/07/24/80933-large.jpeg “data-br-w =” https: // www. rp-assets. com / images / news / 2020/07/24/80933-large.jpeg “data-br-xw =” https://www.rp-assets.com/images/news/2020/07/24/80933-large .jpeg “onclick =” return false; “>
Reflecting on Oxx’s outstanding training career, thoughts instantly turn to Sea The Stars and the man who had him in top physical condition for those six Group 1 wins in 2009 nominated Arc’s win as the highlight.
Oxx said: “Every day was an important day with Sea The Stars. You see, he had to win everything to prove he was the horse we knew him to be. To finish the last one, the Arc, it was huge, so it had to be the day. larger.
“I remember Nijinsky was defeated at the Arch by an inferior knight after winning the Triple Crown and it spoiled everything. It was very sad to see him lose, so I knew it was really important for Sea The Stars to win the Arch. He proved his worthiness beyond all doubt. “
Kinane was on board for all nine Sea The Stars races and when asked to summarize Oxx, he replied, “A fantastic trainer and an exceptional gentleman.”
Brian Kavanagh, Executive Director of Horse Racing Ireland, said: “John has been a wonderful ambassador for our industry and our country. Always a gentleman to deal with and generous with his time and knowledge. Truly the end of an era.”
Edward Whitaker (racingpost.com/photos)
“title =” John Oxx and Johnny Murtagh with Sinndar after the Arc in 2000 “class =” js-imageLoader “data-at-xn =” https://www.rp-assets.com/images/news/2017/09 /27/29902-medium.jpeg “data-br-n =” https://www.rp-assets.com/images/news/2017/09/27/29902-medium.jpeg “data-br-m = “https://www.rp-assets.com/images/news/2017/09/27/29902-large.jpeg” data-br-w = “https://www.rp-assets.com/images/ news / 2017/09/27/29902-large.jpeg “data-br-xw =” https://www.rp-assets.com/images/news/2017/09/27/29902-large.jpeg “onclick = “return false;”>
Sinndar provided Oxx with its first Arc in 2000, while Alamshar won the Irish Derby and King George in 2003. Azamour and Ridgewood Pearl won four Group 1s, with the latter providing a famous triumph by landing the 1995 Breeders’ Cup Mile at Belmont Park under Johnny Murtagh.
Oxx’s first Group 1 winner was Petite Ile at the 1989 Irish St Leger, while their latest top tier hit was Alandi at the Prix du Cadran at Longchamp, an hour and a half after Sea The Stars won the Arc.
Ultimate Daily – Our daily newsletters from the experts at Racing Post, exclusively for Ultimate Members’ Club subscribers inbox. To receive the newsletter subscribe at racingpost.com/members-club
[ad_2]