CRYSTAL Ocean was a middle-distance star who never finished out of the first three in a 17-race career and accumulated over £2 million in earnings.
He was runner-up in a seven-furlong maiden on his only start at two, won first time out at three and, although third to the ill-fated Permian in both the Group 2 Dante Stakes and Group 2 King Edward VII Stakes, easily won the Group 3 Gordon Stakes at Goodwood before taking the runner-up spot in a vintage edition of the Group 1 St Leger at Doncaster. Irish Derby victor Capri landed the spoils by half a length, with Stradivarius a short head back in third and followed by Rekindling and Coronet; one a prior Group 1 star, all five successful at least once at the highest level now.
At four, Crystal Ocean short-headed Fabricate in the Group 3 Gordon Richards Stakes before running away with the Group 3 Al Rayyan Stakes. He then beat Red Verdon easily in the Group 2 Hardwicke Stakes.
He was a neck runner-up to Poet’s Word in the Group 1 King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes, runner-up to Enable in the Group 3 September Stakes, and then chased home Cracksman in the Group 1 Champion Stakes.
At five Crystal Ocean kicked off with repeat Group 3 wins at Sandown and Newbury before defeating Magical to add the Group 1 Prince of Wales’s Stakes. Although beaten in his final two starts, those losses were by margins of only a neck and a head, the first to Enable in the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes, the latter to Japan in the Group 1 Juddmonte International at York.
Crystal Ocean has been one of the busiest stallions in Europe since joining Coolmore’s National Hunt team. There were 171 first-crop foals registered last year and he covered 302 mares in 2021. Many of those initial offspring made it to an auction ring, with one colt fetching €120,000 at Tattersalls Ireland and others making €80,000 (twice), €70,000 and €65,000 there, while at Goffs there were prices of €80,000, €75,000, €70,000, and €65,000. His fee has been at €8,000 throughout his career to date.
Crystal Ocean is a son of the Timeform 140-rated superstar Sea The Stars (Cape Cross), the half-brother to Galileo (Sadler’s Wells), and whose early sons include Group 1 sire Sea The Moon (also the sire of National Hunt star Allmankind) and miler Zelzal, a 2021 freshman whose trio of stakes winners includes two 2022 US Grade 3 scorers. He is a half-brother to Grade 1 winner and promising National Hunt stallion Hillstar (Danehill Dancer) and the high-class filly Crystal Capella (Cape Cross), and he comes from the family of classic-winning miler Rose Gypsy (Green Desert) among others of note.
The National Hunt sector clearly views him as an outstanding prospect, but with his pedigree and racing profile, those aiming to breed for the flat should also take note because this is a horse who, given suitable opportunities, could get excellent results on the level.
CRYSTAL OCEAN (GB), Bay 2014. Champion older horse in England in 2019. Jt Champion older horse in Europe in 2019. Won eight races, £2,062,400, from 1 mile 2 furlongs to 1½ miles, 3 to 5 years including, Prince of Wales’s Stakes, Ascot, Gr.1, Hardwicke Stakes, Ascot, Gr.2, Al Rayyan Aston Park Stakes, Newbury, Gr.3 (twice), Qatar Gordon Stakes, Goodwood, Gr.3, bet365 Gordon Richards Stakes, Sandown Park, Gr.3 (twice), also placed second in Juddmonte International Stakes, York, Gr.1, King George VI & Queen Elizabeth Stakes, Ascot, Gr.1 (twice), Qipco Champion Stakes, Ascot, Gr.1, William Hill St Leger Stakes, Doncaster, Gr.1, 188Bet September Stakes, Kempton Park, Gr.3, and third in Betfred Dante Stakes, York, Gr.2, King Edward VII Stakes, Ascot, Gr.2.
Retired to Stud in 2020, first crop now yearlings
Stands at: The Beeches Stud, Lismore, Co Waterford, P51 H70H, Ireland.
Contact: Robert McCarthy, Bobby McCarthy, Peter Kenneally
Telephone: +353 (0)58 56254
Email: thebeechesstud@outlook.com
Web: www.coolmore.com
Fee: €8,000