Three successive wins in Group I races at three different racecourses over different distances and Sea The Stars, trained by John Oxx, is the highest rated horse in the world. Sea The Stars, a Cape Cross colt, won the English 2000 Guineas at Newmarket in early May. The Derby at Epsom Downs in June was next. Last Saturday, Sea The Stars took the Coral Eclipse Stakes at Sandown Park as an odds on favorite. Mick Kinane, a name that racing fans in India will readily recognize, was aboard.

Jockey Kinane, not given to hyperbole, said this at the post-Derby interview at Epsom. “A horse like this makes riding worthwhile. Colts like him, you don’t come across often.”

Danny Grant was the champion jockey in Mumbai this year. Jockey Grant is having a lean season in Ireland. However, things took a turn for the better on Sunday. In a mixed meeting at Limerick, Dan Grant steered Aoibhinn to victory in the day’s opener. It was a 1400-metre race and Grant’s mount was a 20-1 chance. In the tote, Aoibhinn paid 33 Euros for one Euro. Let us hope Grant picks up and enjoys better luck in the days to come.

In the Group I Prix Jean Prat at Chantilly on Sunday, a British invader came away victorious. Jim Crowley and Lord Shanakill won by a head over Oiseau de Feu,m ridden by Christophe Lemaire. Lord Shanakill, third in the St James Palace at Royal Ascot, is trained by Karl Burke. The 1600-metre race was worth 221.845 Euros to the winner. Lord Shanakill was a 69-10 chance in the French tote.

Jockey Olivier Peslier had a riding double. Dolled Up gave jockey Peslier his first win of the day in the Prix de Bois. Peslier’s second win came with Wilside, at 9-2, in the 1800-metre Prix Chloe.

Now a paragraph about the German Derby at Hamburg on Sunday. Wiener Walzer, Frank Johansson up, won the 2400-metre Derby in a time of 2 29.56 on a track labeled ‘good.’ J Hirschberger trains Wiener Walzer.

Frankie Dettori was on Hansom who finished 10th of 17 runners. Richard Hughes was aboard the 20-1 Egon and ran 9th. Jockey Hughes, I learn, will be in Bangalore to ride in the Derby. He did not ride in England on Monday. He has no rides on Tuesday. I will make an attempt to speak to him before he leaves for Bangalore.

Mine That Bird has a rider. Mike Smith will ride the Derby winner in the West Virginia Derby on August 1 and again in the Travers Stakes at Saratoga on August 29. Smith was aboard Mine That Bird when finishing second tp Rachel Alexandra in the Preakness Stakes. Trainer Chip Woolley has confirmed the commitment.

Jockey Smith expressed his happiness. “I’m very happy to have the opportunity to get back on him. Hopefully, I can make amends for what happened the last time and get him home this time.”

Leroidesamimaux was the champion turf male in America in 2005 and stands at Stonewall Farm near Versailles, Kentucky. Marfach, by Leroidesamimaux, won at Roscommon in Ireland on Monday. Marfach’s dam is Rhondaling by Welsh Pageant. Marfach was ridden by Kevin Manning. Jim Bolger is the trainer. Candy Stripes is the sire of Leroidesamimaux.

There were several graded races in America over the weekend. Cat Moves took the Grade I Prioress Stakes at Belmont Park on Saturday. A Tale of the Cat filly, Cat Moves, in the hands of Ramon Dominguez, ran down Light Green, the other part of the coupling, in the 1200-metre event. The race was run in 1 08.65 on a fast track.

Jockey Ramon Dominguez rode Cat Moves, the 11-10 favorite. He said, “she’s getting better and it is amazing. It is only her third start. She is professional. No limits for her.”

The Grade III Salvatore Mile at Monmouth Park on Saturday was won by Cool Play. Joe Bravo was the winning jockey. A 6-1 chance, Coal Play made it all and made sure of a berth in the Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile in November. Coal Play is by Mineshaft by A P Indy. The dam is Wiscasset by Kris S. Nick Zito trains Coal Play. Smooth Air, the 7-5 chalk, ran second. Coal Play ran the 1600 metres in 1 34.54.

There was another ‘you win and you’re in’ race on Saturday at Monmouth Park. It was the United Nations Handicap over 2200 metres. At one point, Presious Passion, the 27-10 second choice, led by as many as 20 lengths. Coming into the stretch, Presious Passion had a 10-length lead. Though the lead was diminishing, Presious Passion held on. Lauro chased Presious Passion from the start and took the runner-up berth. Presious Passion’s time of 2 10.97 bettered the mark of 2 12.89 set by English Channel in 2007. Presious Passion will now have a place in the Breeders’ Cup Turf line up. Elvis Trujillo rode.

Trainer Mary Hartmann commented. “Elvis rides him great. He has grown up and matured. I was worried about the fast fractions but he was able to relax.”

Jockey Trujillo paid tribute. “This is the way he likes to run. He wants to go to the lead. I let him go as fast as he wants. There is no fighting him. He dug in today when others got closer. He loves to win.”

Presious Passion is by Royal Anthem by Theatrical. The dam is Princesa’s Passion by Marquetry. Presious Passion has won 12 races from 38 starts and has earnings of $1,842,018.

On Sunday at Hollywood Park, the American Oaks was run. Gozzip Girl, the 22-10 favorite, won with consummare ease. Kent Desormeaux saved ground and found room turning for home. The race was over when Gozzip Girl was let loose. She won from Well Monied who rallied late, Tom Albertrani trains Gozzip Girl who is by Dynaformer. The 2000-metre race was run in 2.00.22. The Grade I American Oaks carried a $700,000 purse.

Trainer Albertrani spoke. “I was hoping to see that huge turn of foot and she showed it today. I think we needed that to win today. The Alabama at Saratoga is the next race.”