News

News

OTI add Sea The Stars colt to stable

The Cepheus constellation is a sight to be seen. The incredible pattern of sparkling stars, named after King Cepheus of Aethiopia in Greek Mythology, can be seen gleaming in the northern sky.

However, it was a different Cepheus whose sparkle caught the eye of the OTI team recently.

Instead, it was an aptly named four-year-old colt by Champion sire Sea The Stars. OTI was quick to acquire this Cepheus, who, like his namesake, embodies all the qualities of a star.

OTI’s General Manager Shayne Driscoll said the colt’s recent performances and excellent bloodlines made him an attractive prospect for Australia.

“We loved his breeding from the get-go, as he is out of Sea The Stars, one of our favourite sires whose progeny we have experienced previous success with,” he said.

“His on-track performances were eye-catching. In his three wins, he showed great bursts of speed but also the capacity to stay. Strikingly, he’s won over distances between 1400m and 2450m which just highlights his sheer versatility.

“With his form indicating that he would prefer running on firmer ground, we saw him as an immediate Australian prospect”, he added.

Cepheus’ impressive abilities shone brightly in his European form, where he demonstrated the formidable combination of sustained speed and quick turn of foot. From his ten races, Cepheus has won three and placed in another three.

These performances have seen him rise to a rating of 101 in the United Kingdom, the equivalent of approximately 95 in Australia. As a Listed winner over 2500m, he is past the first qualification clause for the Melbourne Cup. 

Cepheus’ sire, Irish Derby winner Sea The Stars continues to enhance his sire success, producing over 70 Stakes wins, including Group 1 winners Harzand and Stradivarius, as well as last year’s Group 1 Australian Cup winner Fifty Stars.

OTI Racing has enjoyed previous success with Sea The Stars progeny including Tall Ship, who won two Listed races and placed in a Group 2 in the navy and gold silks.

Cepheus is set to arrive in Australia in mid-April and will join leading New South Wales trainer Matt Dunn’s Murwillumbah stables.

To find out more about plans for Cepheus, please contact us here.