Crystal Ocean Gives Stoute a Tenth Gordon Richards

[Wandering Eyes]

Last seen finishing in the wake of Cracksman (GB) (Frankel {GB}) in Ascot’s G1 Champion S., Sir Evelyn De Rothschild’s Crystal Ocean (GB) (Sea the Stars {Ire}) returned in the same kind of form that saw him among the best of Europe’s middle-distance horses to provide Sir Michael Stoute with a 10th edition of Sandown’s G3 bet365 Gordon Richards S. on Friday. Sent off the 5-6 favourite, the bay tracked Knight To Behold (Ire) (Sea the Stars {Ire}) on the front end with Ryan Moore keen not to allow that smart rival too much rope. Taking his measure before the two-furlong pole, the homebred asserted to score by 2 1/4 lengths, with Extra Elusive (GB) (Mastercraftsman {Ire}) 3 1/2 lengths back in third. “That seemed an improved performance on last year’s and I think he’s a little bit more forward this season,” his trainer said. “He is in the [G1] Tattersalls Gold Cup [at The Curragh May 26] and that is on my mind, so we’ll consider that. Ryan was impressed with him today, so we’ll have to determine what to do next. We are lucky that we get sent some beautifully-bred horses whose owners have the time for us to be patient with.”

1–CRYSTAL OCEAN (GB), 126, h, 5, by Sea the Stars (Ire)
1st Dam: Crystal Star (GB) (SW & GSP-Eng), by Mark of Esteem (Ire)
2nd Dam: Crystal Cavern, by Be My Guest
3rd Dam: Krisalya (GB), by Kris (GB)
O-Sir Evelyn de Rothschild; B-Southcourt Stud (GB); T-Sir Michael Stoute; J-Ryan Moore. £39,697. Lifetime Record: MG1SP-Eng, 13-6-5-2, £1,083,177. *1/2 to Hillstar (GB) (Danehill Dancer {Ire}), Hwt. 3yo-Eng at 11-14f, GISW-Can, MGSW & G1SP-Eng, $1,221,978; Crystal Capella (GB) (Cape Cross {Ire}), Hwt. Older Mare-Eng at 9.5-11f & MGSW-Eng, $550,532; and Crystal Zvezda (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}), SW-Eng.

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