Ladbrokes first to quote Born To Sea for 2012 Classics
With racing having all but ground to a halt on account of the freezing
weather sweeping across Britain and Ireland, betting firms are looking
for a multitude of ways to encourage punters to part with their hard
earned cash. On the back of the initial entries for the 2012 Epsom
Derby that were published last week, Ladbrokes have created a market
on the likelihood of the regally bred Born To Sea winning the 2000
Guineas and Derby of that year, writes Elliot Slater.
As his name suggests, the Christopher Tsui-owned Born To Sea is indeed
a half-brother to the legendary Sea The Stars, and is the last foal of
his dam Urban Sea, who passed away a couple of months after the colt
foal was born. Urban Sea is generally regarded as the greatest
broodmare of the modern era, not only siring Sea The Stars, the winner
of a remarkable six Group 1 races in a three-year-old campaign that
saw him win the 2000 Guineas, Epsom Derby, Coral Eclipse Stakes,
Juddmonte International, Irish Champion Stakes and the Prix de l’Arc
de Triomphe, but also a number of other household names.
Those looking ahead to “Cheltenham”
note that Urban
Sea also produced the mighty Galileo, winner of the Epsom and Irish
Derby as well as the King George VI & Queen Elizabeth Stakes, before
going on to be the world’s leading stallion. She produced dual Group 1
winner Black Sam Bellamy, US Grade 1 winner My Typhoon, as well as two
high-class fillies who both placed in the Epsom Oaks - Melikah and All
Too Beautiful.
The yearling Born To Sea is by Invincible Spirit, another high-class
sire, but one who is generally seen as an influence more for speed
than stamina (although he did sire French Derby winner Lawman).
If you fancy Born To Sea to follow in the hoof prints of his
illustrious siblings, “gold cup betting”
pundits offer 66/1 for him to win either the 2012 Newmarket 2000
Guineas or Epsom Derby, and a rather measly 200/1 that he will
complete the double.
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