Crystal Ocean bought by Coolmore to join their jumps stallion ranks

Crystal Ocean, the joint-best horse in Europe this season on Racing Post Ratings, has been purchased by Coolmore and will stand under their National Hunt banner at The Beeches Stud next year.

The son of Sea The Stars has been a consistent and high-class performer for trainer Sir Michael Stoute and owner-breeder Sir Evelyn de Rothschild, never finishing out of the frame in 17 starts and winning Group races at three, four and this year at five.

His finest hour came with a one and a quarter-length defeat of Magical in the Prince of Wales's Stakes at Royal Ascot, after which he went down all guns blazing when a neck second to Enable in the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes.

He lost no caste in defeat on what was to be his last run in the Juddmonte International in August, either, finishing a head second to Japan. Weeks later he suffered a leg injury on the gallops that ended his racing career.

Crystal Ocean notched seven Pattern race victories in total, including another royal meeting triumph in the Hardwicke Stakes, and finished second in Group 1 company on five occasions. His earnings stand at just over £2 million.

“If you look at his race record, it’s quite amazing,” said Stoute. “He has a lovely temperament and was a joy to train.”

Crystal Ocean holds further appeal on pedigree.

As well as being the highest rated runner by world champion turned top-class sire Sea The Stars, he is out of the Listed-winning Mark Of Esteem mare Crystal Star, which makes him a three-parts brother to one high-class middle-distance horse in Crystal Cappella and a half-brother to another in Hillstar.

“We’ve been lucky enough to get some great horses over the years, but Crystal Ocean could be the best of the lot,” said The Beeches Stud manager Bobby McCarthy. “He’s a great outcross option for the many good mares from the Sadler’s Wells line.”

The Beeches Stud roster features big-hitters such as Flemensfirth and Soldier Of Fortune and other recent additions Idaho and Wings Of Eagles.

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