With his first crop, Cape Cross delivered more than a hint that he was an exciting addition to the Darley stallion ranks. Topping the list of freshman stallions in 2003 was just a prelude to the exploits of his sensational daughter Ouija Board, who became one of his first-crop winners in October of that year and would go on to Group One victories in the Oaks, Irish Oaks, Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Turf (twice), Hong Kong Vase, Prince Of Wales’s Stakes and Nassau Stakes.
It was Ouija Board’s dazzling career that persuaded the Tsui family to send their star mare Urban Sea to Cape Cross. The result of their decision has provided us with this season’s truly outstanding campaigner: Sea The Stars. There has been much talk among racing’s marketeers about the need for ‘narrative’. They need look no further than this colt, who drew a huge crowd to York for his appearance in the Juddmonte International and was given a rousing reception on winning, the like of which is rarely seen or heard on British racecourses. Just like Ouija Board before him, Sea The Stars is a horse who has captured the hearts of the public with his extraordinary talent. He writes his own narrative.
And for Cape Cross, Urban Sea was undoubtedly the highlight of his post-Ouija Board books of mares but certainly not a lone star. Among Cape Cross’s yearlings this year are half-siblings to Group One winners Caradak, Court Masterpiece, Mount Nelson, Amadeus Wolf, Crowded House, Darley Australia stallion Reset and to King's Best’s recent Prix Maurice de Gheest winner King’s Apostle. There are also a trio of Cape Cross yearling colts from the high-class matrons Vintage Tipple and Ebadiyla, both winners of the Darley Irish Oaks, and from the Cheveley Park Stakes heroine Carry On Katie.
His foals on the ground this year include half-brothers to crack spinters Kingsgate Native and Red Clubs and daughters of the Group One winners Satwa Queen and Volvoreta, while currently in foal to Cape Cross is Sixties Icon’s dam, the Oaks winner Love Divine. She is joined by yet more Group One winners and producers: West Wind, Asi Siempre, Shamdala, Claba di San Jore (the dam of Italian Derby winner Awelmarduk), Musical Treat (dam of Finsceal Beo) and Clara Bowl (dam of Turtle Bowl).
All names that have been woven into the fabric of the turf through sheer excellence just like Ouija Board and Sea The Stars. Just like Cape Cross.
