I wish to pay tribute to Sea The Stars.

This amazing racehorse, which was retired to stud yesterday, captured the hearts of millions in his short career. Beaten only once in his 9 starts (his first outing as a 2 year old), a 6 time group 1 winner, the first horce to win the Newmarket 2000 Guineas, the Epsom Derby and Prix de l'Arc in the same season. This amazing specimen of a complete racehorse, born April 6 2006, is now worth more than €100 million to his owners through breeding.

Experts are debating whether or not he is the single greatest racehorse ever, he won the Prix de l'Arc at Longchamp, Europe's premier horserace, in the fastest time ever. He is without doubt at the same level as Dancing Brave, Nijinsky and Mill Reef, and to think he came from my own little country, granted we are the world's leaders when it comes to horse breeding, makes him all the better in my eyes. The best national hut horse ever, Arkle, also came from these emerald shores.

This season Sea the Stars held off everything the notorious Ballydoyle, the best stable in the world, and Adain O'Brien, the best trainer in the world, could through at him within the laws of the sport, pacesetters and the like, to win 6 TIMES AT GROUP 1 LEVEL IN ONE SEASON!!! An outstanding horse.

Sea the Stars, in the "Sport of Kings" you were the King of Kings, enjoy your retirement. Long live the King.