A lasting legacy

As the grandsire of the Oaks winner and broodmare sire of the Derby winner, Cape Cross has ensured his presence will be felt for generations to come

Kildangan’s stalwart, Cape Cross has long been established as a stallion with the ability to sire outstanding performers capable of winning at the highest level.

Now that many of these talented offspring are producing winners of their own, Cape Cross is also emerging as top-class sire of sires and broodmare sire, highlighted in tremendous style last Friday and Saturday at Epsom.

Cape Cross’s son Sea The Stars was one of racing’s all-time great horses, winning an astounding six consecutive G1 races during a spectacular three-year-old season in 2009. Now his own first crop are three and are already demonstrating they have inherited the ability of their sire and grandsire – with no fewer than 18 of them adding Black type to his record. His daughter Taghrooda became his first Classic winner when landing the Oaks by almost four lengths and remaining unbeaten in the process. Cape Cross is also grandsire of Sea The Moon – currently favourite for the German Derby.

A day later, the Derby result was what many felt to be destiny fulfilled as Australia – sired by a Derby winner and out of an Oaks winner – took the Blue Riband in emphatic style. His dam is of course none other than Ouija Board, undoubtedly the best filly by Cape Cross to set foot on a racecourse. Winner of the English and Irish Oaks and the Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Turf at three, she went on to land the Hong Kong Vase and the Prince Of Wales’s Stakes before winning at the Breeders’ Cup for a second time.

Australia is the third G1 winner to be produced by a daughter of Cape Cross, who have also been responsible for a further 16 Black type winners.

As a sire, Cape Cross has 12 Stakes performers on the board so far this year and with undoubtedly plenty more to come, his ability to pass on his ability to both his children and his grandchildren is sure to continue for many years to come.