Sea-Bird - World Champion Racehorse - 1965

Sea-Bird's racing career with footage from 5 of his 8 races.

[@GBeret83]

I've followed thoroughbred racing worldwide for some 30+ years now myself and the only way I know how to describe Sea Bird is by simply saying he's probably the most complete thoroughbred that's ever stepped onto a racetrack. And by complete I mean physically complete, mentally complete, talented, gifted, extraordinary, and any other superlative you can think of. If you could computer generate and make your own thoroughbred, Sea Bird is exactly what you'd want.

[@brettwilkinson9529]

Secretariat was a sprinter, middle distance and stayer. Still holds the fastest Triple Crown Times ( which will never be beaten) .Highly intelligent ( never had the whip used on him as he ran his own race) 22 pound heart .He would have been even stronger as a 4 year old had he run .

[@joeviner7100]

I must have watched Sea Bird's wins in the Derby and the Arc more than 100 times, but his scintillating victories in both those races still takes my breath away every time I see them. I find it absolutely astonishing that he won the two most competitive and prestigious races in the calendar with such consummate ease and with the minimum of effort. Arkle was also at the height of his fame in 1965, a year that produced probably the two greatest horses in their respective equine disciplines.

[@jimmymalone9139]

He was a real champion

[@jimmymalone9139]

Arkle from 64 to 67

[@marcellomarocco1533]

This is absolute equine perfection. Effortless power.

[@kurman4749]

I have never seen anything to compare with Sea Bird, he was simply sensational. Was he the greatest European racehorse of all time? Possibly. He must certainly be regarded as one of the all time greats.

[@stevegrainger5824]

Sea Bird was the greatest racehorse of all time, nothing else comes close to him.

[@FORESTDONS]

It's always the one and only ribot for me.He was an equine perfection.

[@elwynrichards185]

In the history of thoroughbred racing there has never been another horse to compare with this titan of the turf. Sea Bird is the benchmark by which all other horses are compared, and found wanting.

[@shalakhani]

Glad that you like it. Rare footage alright and probably not seen by many but gives a great insight into how great he really was.

[@jimmymalone9139]

Best ever

[@georgerice6450]

There is no doubt that Ribot and Sea Bird were the 2 best horses I have ever seen I would still fancy Sea Bird but what a race you would travel along way to watch it

[@BullOnSilver]

Agreed Supreme Owl. Sea bird is the greatest. Even as we approach the end of 2012.

[@user-mw1tt5mm9q]

The greatest ever- unique that one

[@tgoodgame]

Sea bird the best I've seen.

[@80cathryn]

She gave us enough. Not forgotten. Immortalized and the measure by which all others are compared.

[@jimmymalone9139]

Sea bird a COLT. YOU ANADAN

[@Czerniakowska]

Like Ribot, his main rival for the title of greatest racehorse of all time, Sea Bird was highly strung. Unlike Ribot, though, he did suffer a defeat, never raced as a four- year-old and was a failure at stud. The memory of his awesome victories at Epsom and Longchamps, however, has ensured his place alongside Ribot in racing history. As great a horse as Secretariat undoubtedly was, I doubt that he could have coped (at least on turf) with Ribot's sheer power or Sea Bird's finishing pace.

[@marysueeasteregg]

You could be correct. I am a Secretariat fan, but do not rule out that Ribot, Sea Bird and/or Frankel were better racehorses. Or a couple of the American greats, for that matter...I don't think Secretariat would have kept up with Dr. Fager at a mile. Of the European greats, it is Sea Bird that fascinates me, more than the others, I am not sure why. If someone was better than Secretariat, I hope it was Sea Bird! I'll give you food for thought, however: Turcotte thought Secretariat was 10-15 lengths better on turf than on dirt. Secretariat toyed with very good turf horses in his 2 starts on grass. (He did not, however, meet Dahlia, probably the other best grass horse active N. America in 1973.) His pair of losses at 2 were patently bad racing luck; and all three of his losses at 3 were very arguably due to poor judgment/handling on the part of Lucien Laurin.

[@BE109]

In addition to Allez France and Arctic Tern,Sea Bird also sired the Preakness S.,Belmont S. winner Little Current,some say he was unlucky in the Kentucky D. Sea Bird came from the Native Dancer sire line. He was most definitely one of the best European horses in the 20th century.

[@TheDarleyarabian]

@shalakhani totally agree he was just poetry in motion he just did it with such ease an finesse wot a beautiful horse. one in a million.

[@reddiablosv]

@shalakhani Thank you very much for providing this video. I own a 3 year old filly by Silic out of a mare that is a great grand daughter of Sea Bird thru Arctic Tern. She looks and runs just like him.( in training) . She will soon be starting her first race at Hollywood Park on th turf. If she can run half as well as Sea Bird, I will be very happy. thanks.

[@Billdick360]

Seabird.. Magnificent!!

[@jimmymalone9139]

A great horse

[@shalakhani]

Whilst I have titled it 'Flat Racing's Greatest Champion', it refers more to official ratings than anything else - that's if you accept Timeform as being official. Tony Morris and John Randall also rate him as the greatest flat racehorse of the 20th century. He was a bit before my time - I was from the Nijinsky era and for me he was the greatest. Sea Bird does appear to have been exceptional though. I also agree with 21shergar - His action and that of Nashwan was poetry in motion.

[@kevinmunday5782]

When people argue over who was the greatest, think of it this way. If all the legends raced each other, over the different courses like say, Newmarket, epsom, ascot, Sandown, Doncaster and longchamp through a season, it's highly unlikely only one horse would win them all. Horses for courses ? personally , I think nijinsky was the best. Won the triple crown, king george in a canter, only beaten in a photo for the arc after a long hard campaign . But that's my opinion, everyone has a right to theirs too. 😊

[@marcellomarocco1533]

@Paul Gallagher Lester even recently said Nijinsky at his best was the best horse he rode.

[@leesog3203]

@Paul Gallagher Bro you need to chill! And find God! 👊🏻😇✊🏻 then come to horses.. priorities mate 😁

[@leesog3203]

I thought Sea The Stars was a freak until I seen Ribot.. but then I seen Sea Bird.. damn.. he could be on a par with Frankel.. who is greatest Thoroughbred to ever walk this planet.

[@guidogreco341]

RIBOT:::SEA BIRD::FRANKEL 3 cavalli eccezionali in epoche diverse..non si può dire chi è il più forte...si può solo ammirarli

[@leesog3203]

***** That's hilirious. But do you really think he would have beaten Frankel over a mile or even 10 furlongs? I do struglle to imagine Sea Bird blitzing Frankel in the 2012 Queen Anne, don't you?

[@leesog3203]

@Ann Clarke Franke is in a league of his own. Some horses may have kept up with him, but none would have beaten him, that's the way I see it. His performance at York was out of this world and no horse in history would have beaten him - same goes for the Queen Anne. Who would you rated as a greater horse? Talent wise. If they where to meet over 8, 10, 12 furlongs on good ground.

[@kurman4749]

@@leesog3203 Frankel didn't win a Derby or an Arc, which are the two truly recognised championship races when assessing the very best racehorses.

[@jimmymalone9139]

BEST HORSE EVER

[@silenusut]

Nice one.

[@21shergar]

Not sure he was in Sea Bird's league (maybe he was), but Nashwan's fluid, golden action compares favourably with SB's. More flowing, creamy actions I can't recall.

[@ASupremeOwl]

Brigadier Gerard was just a machine of a horse over a mile and mile and quarter and Im certain both would have given Secretariat more than something to think about at that distance. It would have been intresting to see how Sec would have coped in Europe with the different tracks...

[@Funeeman]

Brigadier Gerard was NOT a "machine" over 10 furlongs. He was brilliant at a mile, but almost got beaten In the Champion Stakes in 1971, and Roberto beat him fair and square over 10 furlongs in 1972.

[@Velasca]

What year is this documentary from?

[@ASupremeOwl]

Sea Bird II the easiest derby and arc winner you'll ever see. Remarkable horse

[@FORESTDONS]

You have forgotten RIBOT. He may not be rated as high as sea bird but he wins over all sort of distance and ground. The traits of a truly genius horse in his own right.

[@edkaley1]

Sea Bird, Ribot, Frankel, Sea the Stars, Treve, Dancing Brave, Secretariat, Seattle Slew, Phar Lap, Allez France, Pebbles, El Gran Senor, Citation, Man O' War, Zenyatta, Forego etc etc etc - great great horses the list goes on. The best a matter of opinion. Personally in the NH game there is only one - Arkle.,

[@jakubwidlarz]

Was McCririck filming this at Chantilly?

[@ftorres93]

The sire of Sea Pigeon.

[@ValleyoftheRogue]

With the massive size heart Secretariat had, no horse could have ever beaten him at his peak.

[@benbim540]

5 did

[@80cathryn]

Good counter punch. You could easily include Phar Lap too although not American but a glorious champion of International Merit yes?

[@kadir1982]

hey as i come here being a seretariat fan,thinking that he is the best that have ever lived...before i make any judgement,could you guys tell me more about seabird?like did he break any records?has he raced all over the place?any dirt races?how many losses he had in his life thankyou

[@711ATOM]

While I won't argue that Sea Bird was anything other than a great horse, I don't understand how Europeans come to the conclusion that a particular horse is the best ever. Dancing Brave ran in a total of 10 races, Sea the Stars' career was 9 races, and Sea Bird only 8; you don't ever hear any Americans calling Smarty Jones are even Ghostzapper the best ever. The distance from Dublin to Paris is like going from Churchill Downs to Belmont. At least Dancing Brave tried to travel.

[@ThefightingCelt]

@711ATOM How many American horses, brilliant or average, have ever contested the Arc de Triompghe or The King George & Queen Elizabeth Diamond Stakes ? I'll tell you. Very few, and those who have been soundly trounced.

[@dianecrain3328]

You can't really compare them, that's true. But, to answer your question, yes, Secretariat did win outside the USA in the Canadian International on turf.

[@seanmcmanus867]

Piggott thought Seabird would have beaten Frankel and STS

[@ASupremeOwl]

@SusanNunes... No horse who used lasix and bute can be considered the greatest. Turf horses run drug free, And I can name at least 5 horses that would have beaten him on turf over 1m2f (Sea Bird, Nijinsky, Mill Reef, Brigadier Gerard and Frankel) Secretariat was a great horse, But not the greatest

[@ThefightingCelt]

Laughing at eckythimble's comment . I think he/she (?) needs to do some much needed research on Brigadier Gerard . For one so found of "facts", ecky has got it badly wrong. The Brigadier actually ran 6 times at a mile and a quarter , losing only once ( his only career defeat incidentally ) and he also ran over a mile and a half, when winning the King George & Queen Elizabeth Stakes.

[@connorduke4619]

+ThefightingCelt The Brigadier pulled out one labourious - and slow - 12f during his career. That is insufficient to put him in the same staying class as proven, repeat distance champions as Secretariat, Phar Lap, Sea Bird, Ribot and Man O War. Heck I massively doubt BG would have even held of little Mill Reef over 12f. Who's laughing now?

[@ASupremeOwl]

Just doesnt stand up with the European level IMO. Frankel, Brigadier Gerard, Secretariat, Mill Reef, Nijinsky and Sea Bird would have been some race over 1m2f - You state that Sea Bird would be the only horse capable of mixing with Secretariat over 1m2f yet his best distance was 1m4f as he proved in the Derby and the Arc. Frankel and Brigadier Gerard would have been more than a match for Secretariat over 1m2f both phenomenal champions

[@FORESTDONS]

We can only speculate but will not know the result. European horses run to win and not to make time so we can't compare times. Also the configuration of the tracks are completely different. Yes,I know secre won at canada and my bad for posting that question in my previous statement. They are all great's and i like secretariat so won't say anything bad about him.Only that,Some people just says as if secretariat was a unbeatable super horse and that is what i don't like.

[@jeffhampson869]

no ifs or buts iv,e seen 60years of derbies and arc and he was uncomparable he could have pulled a milk float and still outclassed anything on four legs

[@ASupremeOwl]

quick, Hence the reason he recieved the magical 147. As for this comment from yourself '' Brigadier Gerard only once ran 1m2f and just hung on '' He was a 4 time Gr1 winner over 1m2f (Eclipse, Prince of Wales Stakes and Champion Stakes x2) I don't see where you've got that from? You mean he ran 1m4f once. Both were predominantly milers but both excelled at 1m2f aswell, I mean look Frankel toyed with St Nicholas Abbey at York last year and that horse as since come out and won another 2 Gr1's...

[@21shergar]

Couldn't agree more that Sea Bird was tremendous. Not sure he's quite top of the tree though. (The debate on Sea Bird II wins the Derby is great). Any other favourites, Kelt? Where do you stand on Dancing Brave, Mtoto and her ladyship, Pebbles?

[@ASupremeOwl]

Do you really think Secretariat would have broke the 2 minute barrier over 1m2f in Europe? Not a chance, I don't buy into the all Secretariat is immortal bollocks. Yes he was a brilliant racehorse in the States but I find it difficult to compare American Champions with there European counterparts. Its far tougher to be a champion in Europe than it is in the States, The tracks are tougher and the horses run drug free. If you honestly believe Secretariat ran drug free then you are deluded My...

[@80cathryn]

Thank you for the input. Refreshing. You must be a lady among the ignoramuses. Very true about the breeding especially in the US. Dont know why they have done so. the sick side of me wants to see a horse burst his heart, not really, trying to endure 12 to 18 furlongs. My top 5 + a mare in no order are: Phar Lap; Sec; Ribot; MOW; Sea Bird II; and Ruffian. there are other great horses but fair to say this group individually did things no horse before or since has done. Fair?

[@PATRIARCA173]

Sea Bird. Secretariat. Sea The Stars. St.Simon...simple

[@leesog3203]

Finally, someone who rates Seabird greater than the Americans! 😄 It’s like most of America hasn’t heard of Seabird, or Ribot, or Brigadier Gerrard.. but how many Americans would be rated 142+ with Timeform?

[@ASupremeOwl]

friend, Look at the size of him for example he was an absolute tank. I mean Sham was the same, Both were found to have huge hearts after they deceased and I'd be a confident person in stating that performance enhancing drugs were partly to blame... It was common practice in the states then as its been proved. Great horse but no horse IMO can be called the greatest of all time that was suspected of taking performance enhancing drugs and a champion in the States the quality of racing over there...

[@FORESTDONS]

you just cant compare great horses. Sea bird is a true champion and his rating would justify it. American mighty say man o war or secretariat is the greatest horse but could those two great champion win outside usa? We may never know and would seabird win outside france and yes is the answer as he proved it at epson. Would seabird win at usa track?We may never have answer for that and that is why champions is champions and they are not for comparison just like human being.

[@davidrobinson2776]

It’s worth noting that Pollet reckoned Vaguely Noble was as good if not better than Sea Bird. He was ridiculed but there was nobody better placed to judge.

[@kurman4749]

Vaguely Noble was a different horse when racing on soft or heavy ground, not the same horse on good to firm though.

[@FORESTDONS]

My all time fav is always RIBOT but to say sea bird is a donkey is not good.They are all great champion's in a different era.

[@ASupremeOwl]

Americans are obcessed with Track Records and splits, I don't see why? Maybe in the States its relevent but in Europe it means very little. Frankel may not have set any track records, Although he came very close to lowering the Ascot track record in Royal Ascot last year even with soft in the going. There hasn't be a track record lowered in Europe with soft in the going for nearly 50 years Frankel was 0.56 seconds outside eased down - I'd hate to think what he'd have done had the track been...

[@cre8flow188]

Frankel never ran at 12f.sea the.stars has done something no horse has done.secretariat a monster.ribot 16-0.sea bird monster.those 4 in modern game.thats it

[@connorduke4619]

+cre8flow The top 5 all time stayers of all time are actually Secretariat, Phar Lap, Sea Bird, Man O War and Ribot. In approximately that order as well. Drop down to 10f and you can add Brigadier Gerard, Frankel, Dr Fager and Spectacular Bid. At both 12f or 10f Secretariat would start as favourite with the bookies, due to having both the highest Beyer (139) and Timeform (153) on record. Main question would be would his jockey need to pull the whip out in order to secure the two wins. Then you could switch to dirt and he'd repeat the dose twice more.

[@williamallan7915]

+Ecky Thimble I thought Secretariats Time rate was 144

[@connorduke4619]

+william allan That was an ealier novice, unofficial estimate, designed to strategically place Secretariat 1 pound behind Sea Bird's 145. :) Because the British Empire can't "allow" American horses to run faster than European ones, can it? Whats quite funny, is now that Frankel's 147 has topped Sea Bird, suddenly our UK friends our "ok" to suggest Secretariart was better than Sea Bird, but surely not Frankel. And once a higher rated European horse comes along than Frankel, no doubt Secretariat will also be "permitted" by our UK friends to be rated higher than Frankel as long as he's "just behind' the prevailing European champion. The reality is that Simon Rowlands 153 rating for Secretariat is perfectly reasonable and also very much in line with Beyer's 139 of the same horse. The number that is in fact incorrect is Frankel's 147. Too high for a horse who spent 90% of his career racing the same moderate, same aged competition over 7-8f of turf. I would propose Frankel is the same as Brigadier Gerard and incidentally also USA's Dr Fager at 144.

[@williamallan7915]

yes I put SEC and Frankel at 146, what do you think MOW is, and are there any free rating services in US where you can get past ratings, back to SEC, thanks Bill

[@connorduke4619]

+william allan I simply don't see Frankel (7-10f specialist) in the same class as Secretariat (6-13f specialist), just as I dont see Black Caviar (5-6f specialist) in the same class as Frankel. 'The ability to be brilliant over different lengths and surfaces is absolutely critical, rather than beating the same old tired and dejected competition over the same old tired surface and distances time after time. As for Man O War, no rating number I know of beside the US Bloodhorse ranking of 20th century horses where he in fact was rated #1 to Secretariat's #2 (due to one voter inexplicably ranking Secretariat a mere #14). However most USA experts (jockeys, trainer, raters, journalists, etc consistently rate Secretariat above Man O War).

[@ASupremeOwl]

Track records are nothing special, They mean very little when comparing horses aswell. A track record is reliant on many things espcially in Europe, Ground, Pace etc etc. I mean for example Invisible Man holds the straight mile course record at Ascot, And he's an handicapper. Cockney Rebel the winner of the 2007 2000 Guineas holds the course record for the Rowley Mile beating times set by Frankel and Sea the Stars but would you really class him a better animal than those two champions?

[@kurman4749]

Totally agree. Times don't mean a great deal due to all the other factors that have to be taken into consideration. Just to illustrate the point. Would anyone rate Kameko a better 2000 Guineas winner than Frankel? Well, the fact is Kameko holds the course record for the mile at Newmarket, and his time is almost 2 seconds faster than that recorded by Frankel. In actual fact, Migoli, the winner of the 1948 2000 Guineas, also run at Newmarket, was faster than Frankel's time. So you see one should NEVER rely too much on the time factor in races.

[@80cathryn]

now now mr italiano1900; there are a few horses stronger in Europe. 145 Sea Bird II 144 Brigadier Gerard, Tudor Minstrel 143 Frankel 142 Abernant, Ribot, Windy City 141 Mill Reef 140 Dancing Brave, Dubai Millennium, Sea The Stars, Shergar, Vaguely Noble

[@mizofan]

Abernant means mouth of the stream in Welsh

[@80cathryn]

You are funny. Exactly how do you know that American trainers feel this way? Is it possible they dont because they can make more money by racing in America? Perhaps there is no incentive to cross the Atlantic great enough? Is there any reason why Euro horses dont come to America for the same reasons you state?

[@80cathryn]

Name your 5 best of best English Super horses plus a mare and compare them to the accomplishments of the following group: Secretariat; ManO War; Citation; Kelso; Seabisquit and Ruffian. And dont site anyone in the 1800's because no one has any useful information to confirm about performance save for Eclipse's 13 lb heart ok? Fair and up for the challenge? jolly good, get started. any BTW - is there a good reason for coming to England to race better than making a lot more money in US?

[@alwaysfair4991]

Your racing is inferior. Your tracks are bland and do not truly test racehorses, and you use drugs on horses. American racing is disgusting!.

[@80cathryn]

@@alwaysfair4991 let's keep personal attacks out of dialogue. I'll be respectful of you do the same.

[@ValleyoftheRogue]

That's because Secretariat was a genetic freak. There really isn't any horse in racing history who can be compared with him; he stands alone.

[@michaeldowd5545]

A drug monster?!

[@80cathryn]

Cant help but notice how little interest on an international scale, the number of views on You Tube of supposedly one of the true greats in horse racing. 11,000 views? must not be very many fans of Ribot and Sea Bird in Europe? what do you guys say about that? Phar Lap too only has a hundred thousand viewsmaybe . Of course Secretariat has several million views so that must say something too. What are your thoughts on this?

[@ThefightingCelt]

@cernuous You are only highlighting your ignorance of European horse racing, which pre-dated American racing by centuries, not decades. How do you think the American Triple Crown got its name ? Those US trained horses you name were essentially dirt track animals, although Secretariat also raced on turf , Sea Bird,. incidentally, was a French trained colt. not British. Turf racing in Europe is far different from dirt and turf racing in the US, therefore such comparisons are odious.

[@jimmymalone9139]

JOHN OAKSEYS (LAWRENCE) DESCRIPTION ELASTIC STRIDE CORRECT OAKSEYS FATHER WAS JUDGE AT NUERMBERG NAZI TRIALS OAKSEY GOOD AMATEUR JOCK HAVE TO SAY I LIKED HIM . EVEN THOUGH HE WAS ENGLISH.