Star Catcher Claims the Irish Oaks For Sea The Stars
The bold-striding daughter of Sea The Stars - Star Catcher romped to victory under champion jockey Frankie Dettori in the Gr.1 Irish Oaks at a cost of €40,000 after winning the Ribblesdale Stakes at Royal Ascot under a substantial challenge by Zoffany filly Fleeting, who also chased her home at Ascot, by half a length with the Camelot's Epsom Oaks runner-up Pink Dogwood a further four and a half lengths back in third.
It was third Irish Oaks for John Gosden after Great Heavens in 2012 and Enable in 2017 and fifth for Dettori who won on Lailani (2001), Vintage Tipple (2003), Blue Bunting (2011) and Enable.
Star Catcher is one of three stakes winners out of the unraced Horse Chestnut mare Lynnwood Chase.
She had two stakes-winners by Lemon Drop Kid, the Grade 1 Canadian International Stakes winner Cannock Chase at the Gr.2 Prix Eugene Adam winner Pisco Sour.
The winner of three of her five starts, Star Catcher was reported as sold for 240,000 gns at the Tattersalls December Foal Sale (2016) but races in the colours of her breeder Anthony Oppenheimer.
Star Catcher becomes the 12th Group 1 winner for Galileo's half-brother Sea The Stars who commands a fee of €135,000 at Gilltown Stud.