John Oxx will forever be celebrated as the trainer of the legendary Sea The Stars, but his triumph in the 2009 Irish Champion Stakes marks a noteworthy third victory in the prestigious race at Leopardstown for the Currabeg trainer.
Oxx's first win in this premier event came in 1996 with the Aga Khan's talented filly, Timarida. By the dawn of the 2000s, he was a regular contender in the race. Alamshar was a short-priced 5-4 favourite in 2003, but it was Azamour who claimed victory the following year. In 2005, Oxx had high hopes for a repeat win, only for Alamshar to injure himself after slipping on a bend.
Oxx kept Timarida racing at four, leading to three Group One victories. "She was truly top-class; I’ve never had fillies better than those two, and they were both at their peak together. She won the Champion Stakes with ease, showcasing a remarkable turn of foot, and she raced all over the world."
Alamshar participated in what is considered one of the greatest races held in Ireland. "While it was disappointing not to win with Alamshar—having already won the Irish Derby against Dalakhani and followed up with a victory in the King George—we were optimistic," said Oxx.
The race also incited controversy, resulting in a stewards’ inquiry and an appeal, but Oxx acknowledged that jockey Mick Kinane did a remarkable job aboard High Chaparral, who was indeed a great horse.
The following year, Azamour joined Oxx’s stable, arriving on the scene with diminished expectations after a lengthy absence after his win in the St James’s Palace Stakes. However, Oxx had always believed in his potential over longer distances.
"We were keen on his chances in the Champion Stakes, but Michael (Kinane) had him a bit far back. He preferred to ride him that way, and Azamour thundered down the straight. Michael felt confident he'd reach the front, albeit in the last 50 yards."
The next year, Azamour entered the race as a 6-4 favourite, facing off against Derby winner Motivator and others, but it was Oratorio who triumphed. "Christophe Soumillon rode him the following year as Michael had broken his wrist, but unfortunately, Azamour pulled a muscle when he slipped on the bend," Oxx said.
"We tried to get him back for the Breeders’ Cup Turf, where he had a tough race and finished third to Shirocco. I truly believe he should have won. Michael liked to hold him back and make his move late; sometimes this strategy works, and sometimes it doesn’t. Races with a long straight, like the Prince of Wales’s at York before and the King George at Newbury, suited him perfectly."
Sea The Stars' remarkable story speaks for itself, securing six Group One victories in a scintillating six-month period, with the Irish Champion Stakes being his only win in his homeland in 2009.
"We were eager for him to run in Ireland, but it almost didn’t happen due to torrential rain during that week; many believed he wouldn’t race, with bookmakers making him 6-1 just to start!" Oxx noted. "Leopardstown’s excellent drainage allowed it to dodge the heavy rain that affected other areas, and the ground turned out fine. We made the decision to run him the night before; many assumed he wouldn’t, so they had other plans, which made it all the more thrilling to see him race."
"It was a tremendous race at the right time before the Arc, allowing him to achieve his highest rating, as he really accelerated and won by two and a half lengths—Mick always joked he’d never win by more than a length!" Oxx added. "It’s a prestigious race, filled with legends in the roll of honour, and it serves as a valuable lead-up to the Arc, the Champion Stakes in England, or the Breeders’ Cup."