SEA THE Stars proved once again he is a supreme champion with victory in yesterday’s Juddmonte International at York, and it seems his prodigious list of abilities may now also include an inclination towards teasing.

Just for a moment, outside the furlong pole yesterday, there was a suggestion of vulnerability about the world’s highest-rated racehorse that hadn’t been glimpsed before during a magnificent Guineas-Derby-Eclipse winning summer.

After being towed into the lead by his two pacemakers, Mastercraftsman appeared to pinch a vital couple of lengths that briefly had Michael Kinane getting to work, and no doubt had those who took the 1 to 4 odds pondering the folly of such short odds.

In 1972, one of the greatest champions of all time, Brigadier Gerard, got turned over for the only time in his career at odds of 1 to 3 in this race. Momentarily an even bigger shock looked on.

But Sea The Stars ultimately delivered in style and left Kinane, for one, convinced the result was never in doubt.

“I asked him to quicken up between the two Ballydoyle pacemakers and once he did that he dropped it a little. At the same time Johnny (Murtagh) quickened on Mastercraftsman and a combination of everything meant he got a couple of lengths on us, which made things a little more difficult than they should have been,” the legendary 50-year-old jockey reported.

Against a four-time Group One winner, giving such a start with just over a furlong to go is usually a prelude to defeat, but as he swept by the post a length winner Sea The Stars again managed to conjure up an impression of a true champion whose full capability has yet to be tapped.

“Mick always says he’s a horse that’ll never win by more than a length,” explained John Oxx.

But the Curragh trainer’s normally unflappable temperament looked a little more ruffled than usual after the horse he rates higher than anything else he has handled maintained his unbeaten three-year-old career.

“Mastercraftsman is no tourist and he sprinted and made him work. He had to fight. But he was almost going too easy through the race,” Oxx added. “He only ever does just enough and he keeps winning. As long as he keeps doing that we’ll be happy.”

Aidan O’Brien has thrown the pick of his powerful Ballydoyle string against Sea The Stars this season and yet again came up short. Disappointment, however, couldn’t prevent him from admiring his rival.

“It was a great race and the winner is a great horse,” O’Brien said. “Our fella loves a battle but Mick rode a great race.”

Murtagh briefly thought he had unlocked the key to beating Sea The Stars, but wasn’t too disappointed either, reporting: “He ran a great race and I’m very proud of him. The distance was no problem and we nearly got there.”

Unfortunately for the rider, the stewards took a dim view of his efforts and he was handed a four-day ban (September 1st-4th) for excessive use of the whip.

Next stop for Sea The Stars will be the Irish Champion Stakes at Leopardstown in 17 days when a re-match with Irish Derby winner Fame And Glory, whom he beat at Epsom, is on the cards. Sea The Stars is already a 4 to 7 favourite for that clash.

“So long as the ground is quick that will be next, and it will be his only start in Ireland this year,” confirmed Oxx who, after talking to Kinane, was inclined towards sharing the jockey’s sang-froid towards yesterday’s brief deviation from the script.

“I was concerned about there being just four runners, but thankfully the pacemakers did their job. And our fella is a lovely horse to watch.”

Now it’s on to Leopardstown: a prospect to tease racing fans off their couches and out to the course on September 5th.