Sea Bird

Hey,this horse was somethin else. Never seen any other horse do what this fella could do. He won all his races with no effort,he just seemed to do everything in a canter. Just wish I could have seen him in live action.

Some great racehorses on this list and every one of them are champions. Only just come across this website and as soon as I saw the name of Sea Bird I got goosebumps. What a horse! A machine!

One of the all time greats. Fantastic racehorse.

I must congratulate Blinkersoff on his extensive knowledge of horseracing, I am very impressed. I assume that Blinkersoff is American which, if this is the case, is even more remarkable. I have taken a keen interest in the racing career of the horse Sea Bird II and was at Epsom in 1965 when he was not even out of a canter in winning that year's Derby beating Meadow Court, who would go on to win The Irish Derby and The King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes in his next two runs. I also have the BBC's television coverage of Sea Bird's Prix de l'arc de Triomphe win which is a far better quality than the dark, grainy film that has been shown on YouTube. At no stage of the 1965 Prix de l'arc de Triomphe was Sea Bird under pressure and he most certainly WASN'T being hard ridden in the race. In fact the official race synopsis reads: Led at the 2furlong marker and drew clear easily. Veered across the course inside final furlong and was eased down approaching finish. Diatome who finished t... Read more

I totally agree with Blinkersoff that he is entitled to his opinions, but I would take issue with some of the comments he has made with regard to Sea Bird II. I am British and I'm 66 years old. I was at Longchamps on October 3rd, 1965 when Sea Bird sauntered to victory in the Prix de l'arc de Triomphe. I can assure Blinkersoff that Sea Bird was NOT under pressure and the reason he drifted out from the rails was because he was spooked by someone or something in the crowds massing the rails near the winning post. Pat Glennon, Sea Bird's jockey has stressed this fact many, many times and if you saw the race you would see that Pat was patting Sea Bird's neck as he passed the winning post. Secondly, Grey Dawn , who beat Sea Bird as 2-year old, was a complete failure as a 3-year old. He had 3 races as a 3-year old and won a small race at Longchamps over 7 furlongs on September 5th. Pat Glennon who rode both Sea Bird and Grey Dawn has been quoted as saying that Grey Dawn was a stronger 2-ye... Read more

Note to Jay & Blinkersoff~ Appreciate your knowledge and ability to phrase as racing people. There are a few racing "mugs" writing on RIA, but we are typically biased to North American stock. We are casually compiling a "Top 20" to fill a dream race to go on Churchill Downs dirt at our mile and quarter classic distance some late October day. Sea-Bird makes the field. Dancing Brave might. If you were to choose ten great European champions, your lists would fuel conversation.

This horse was top of the heap and the best of the best. When he got going it was just like watching a comet shooting across the heavens. Sea Bird II was totally awesome.

For the benefit of blinkersoff, Sea Bird's stablemate Grey Dawn beat him as A 2-year old . He did not GET BEAT OFF as you described it with your strangled English. I would also add that Sea Bird II was in a different class to Royal Palace, whom blinkersoff thinks should have been Horse of the Year in 1967. Just in case you hadn't noticed, blinkersoff, Royal Palace isn't on this list! The fact is most people have never heard of him.

Sea Bird was the ultimate thoroughbred and possibly the greatest horse ever seen on a European racecourse. He only raced for two seasons but the impact he made in his 3-year old season is still talked about today, nearly half a century later. An unforgettable racehorse!

A GREAT CHAMPION AND ONE OF THE FINEST RACEHORSES IN THE HISTORY OF THOROUGHBRED RACING.

ALL the racehorses that are included on RateitAll are champions and it is virtually impossible to single out one horse and state categorically that he was the greatest of them all. Personally I believe that Sea Bird II was the best that I ever saw in action, but then that's just my opinion. I would never dream of denigrating the undoubted greatness of any of the horses included in these reviews as they all deserve their place here.

Probably the finest racehorse ever to grace a European racetrack. In five races as a 3-year old,all of which he won, he was never out of a canter. It's hard to believe that that was 45 years ago,but the exploits of this majestic thoroughbred are still as vivid in my memory today as they were all those years ago. A truly sensational racehorse!

I love to watch old black and white videos of the great horses of the past whether they are of American racehorses or British ,Irish or French. I know that Secretariat was a great American champion,the same applies to Citation,War Admiral and Man O'War. I think the horse that does it for me though is the French horse Sea Bird. I have only ever seen his wins on video,but every time I watch him in action it just takes my breath away. He must have been a fantastic horse to win his races so easily against some of the best horses in the world. I read somewhere that his win in the Prix de l'arc de Triomphe in 1965 was the easiest there has ever been in that race. He was not a great success when he went to stud and sadly ,Sea Bird died after a short stud career in 1973.

THERE ISN'T ANOTHER RACEHORSE TO COMPARE WITH SEA BIRD II. HE WAS THE GREATEST THOROUGHBRED EVER TO SET FOOT ON A RACETRACK.

The best racehorse I ever saw in action, he was poetry in motion. It would have been great to have seen Sea Bird racing against the other champions such as Secretariat, Man O'War, Ruffian, Phar Lap, Seabiscuit and Dancing Brave. What A fantastic race that would have been! The memory of seeing Sea Bird winning the top races in Europe in 1965 will remain with me until the day I die,he was simply awesome.

Sea Bird emphasised just how brilliant a racehorse he was with two absolutely facile victories in the most prestigious races in the European horseracing calendar in 1965, the Epsom Derby and the Prix de l'arc de Triomphe. He defeated the greatest thoroughbreds on the planet with contemptuous ease and achieved this whilst barely out of a canter. Sea Bird was a truly astounding racehorse who,I firmly believe, has no equal.

I have been fortunate enough to have seen many great racehorses in over half a century of following the 'sport of kings'. I've seen the great European champions including Ribot, Sea BirdII, Nijinsky, Mill Reef, Brigadier Gerard, Dancing Brave and Sea The Stars. I have also marvelled at the exploits of Secretariat, Seattle Slew, Spectacular Bid, Ruffian and Zenyatta in the USA. My own personal belief is that Sea Bird II was the best I have seen. He was such a truly remarkable racehorse who made everything look so effortless and his wins in the Epsom Derby and Prix de l'arc de Triomphe in 1965 was simply jaw-dropping. Of course we will never know for certain who was the greatest racehorse of all time, but I think Sea Bird's claims are stronger than most.

GREATEST RACEHORSE I HAVE EVER SEEN OR I AM EVER LIKELY TO SEE. SET THE HORSE RACING WORLD ALIGHT IN 1965 WITH HIS BRILLIANT WINS IN THE EPSOM DERBY AND PRIX DE L'ARC DE TRIOMPHE. HE WAS A RACEHORSE THAT COMES ALONG ONCE IN A HUNDRED YEARS.

Sea Bird was certainly,in my opinion anyway, the best racehorse to emerge in Europe during the past 50 years. He swept all before him in his imperious victories of 1965 and was never tested. Other great horses have appeared since the days of Sea Bird ,but none have possessed his majestic brilliance, he was unique. I don't believe we will ever see his like again.

In all the films and videos I 've watched of Sea Bird in action he never seemed to be exerting himself, everything looked so effortless. When you compare the films and videos of all the other great horses, you could see that they were working hard or else they were all out to win, but not Sea Bird II. I think that this is what set him apart from all other horses, he was just an incredible equine athlete who possessed the ease and fluency of movement of a greyhound. I have been completely mesmerized by all of Sea Bird's wins as 3-year old, he was a racehorse who was just different class to everything else.

What can you say about Sea Bird that hasn't already been said? My idea of the top 10 racehorses of all time would be: 1. Sea Bird 2. Secretariat 3. Man O'War 4. Ribot 5. Citation 6. Phar Lap 7. Sea The Stars 8. Dancing Brave 9. Eclipse 10. Ruffian I couldn't see anything beating Sea Bird on turf as he was just a sensational racehorse. I don't know how he would have handled the dirt tracks of the USA, but on turf he was unbeatable. The best there's ever been , in my opinion.

Sea Bird was an exceptionally brilliant racehorse who,in my humble opinion anyway, has no equal. He had an extremely free-flowing action which made all his wins look so effortless which ,of course, they were. I don't believe that we ever saw the best of Sea Bird and therefore cannot gauge what this truly incredible horse was really capable of. One thing is absolutely certain, there will never be another like him.

Sea Bird the best racehorse ever, there's nothing more to be said!

There is no doubt in my mind that Sea Bird II was the best racehorse to emerge in my lifetime, I'm 61. I keep expecting to see another horse appear on the scene who is the equal or better than Sea Bird, but to date none has. The fact is Sea Bird is a very difficult act to follow; horses like Sea Bird come along perhaps once in a 100 years. Will I see another horse to compare with Sea Bird? Not in the rest of my lifetime!

IT HAS BEEN 45 YEARS SINCE THAT INCREDIBLE RACEHORSE SEA BIRD BURST ONTO THE WORLD'S HORSE RACING SCENE AND HE IS STILL,IN MY OPINION, TOP OF THE HEAP. I HAVE SEEN NOTHING SINCE THE DAYS OF SEA BIRD TO SUGGEST TO ME THAT HE HAS ANY PEERS. FOR ME SEA BIRD IS THE BEST THERE HAS EVER BEEN.

Sea Bird was a truly great racehorse who raced in Europe in the mid 1960's. If a comparison is needed ,Sea Bird was as dominant over the horses who raced in Europe as Secretariat was over those who raced in America in th 1970's. However there the similarity ends as Sea Bird was the far superior horse of the two

Top class racehorse right out of the top drawer. The best I have ever seen or ever likely to see. Would beat any horse on turf. Sea Bird was an absolutely sensational horse.

How do you measure greatness? As far as horse racing is concerned 'greatness' can be defined in two words: SEA BIRD II. I would never wish to devalue the reputation of any of the great racehorses of the world, and there are many, stretching back over 100 years. The only racehorse who has ever had me totally speechless with his performances on the racetrack is Sea Bird. I don't think that this horse ever showed what he was fully capable of in a race because he was never asked a serious question in any of the races he ran in. I am quite certain that he was the greatest racehorse ever to set foot on a racecourse. Sea Bird was a horse who epitomizes the words 'without equal'.

Supreme racehorse of the 1960's . Trained in France and ridden by an Australian jockey. Sea Bird carried all before him in 1965 and established himself as probably the greatest racehorse ever seen in Europe.

Sea Bird II was a truly phenomenal racehorse,a champion of the highest order. In a hundred years from now Sea Bird's name will still hold pride of place in the pantheon of equine greats. There will never be another racehorse to compare with him

Sea Bird was the most fabulous of racehorses and completely dominated the European racing scene in 1965. He is now rightly regarded as one of the all time greats after his incredible wins in the Derby at Epsom and also in the Prix de l'arc de Triomphe in France. He is without doubt the best racehorse I have ever seen

Sea Bird II was probably the greatest thoroughbred of the 20th century. All his wins as a 3-year old in 1965 were achieved with the minimum of effort . When winning the Epsom Derby and Prix de l'arc de Triomphe he made top class horses, including the 1965 American Derby and Preakness Stakes winner Tom Rolfe, look positively pedestrian. Sea Bird's jockey, Pat Glennon, an Australian, was quoted as saying, ' I refuse to believe that any horse could have beaten Sea Bird in his 3-year old season, he was just untouchable.' He did everything on the bridle and was never out of a canter.

The consensus of opinion regarding the greatest middle distance performers of the past 50 years is that Sea Bird is the top of the list. I for one totally concur with that assessment. I have seen all the great European champion racehorses since 1957 and there have been many , but for me Sea Bird's wins in the Epsom Derby and the Prix de l'arc de Triomphe have yet to be surpassed.

I have never seen a racehorse who can compare with Sea Bird II. In all his races as a 3-year old in 1965,which he won, he was never out of a canter. Sea Bird simply outclassed the opposition,nothing could ever get anywhere near him. He was a truly amazing racehorse.

Forget about the rest Sea Bird II is the best. Never be another racehorse like Sea Bird.They broke the mould when this horse was born because he was perfection,and you can't improve on perfection.

For many racing enthusiasts,myself included, the greatest European racehorse was Sea Bird II. He completely obliterated a quality line-up of international stars when winning the 1965 Prix de l'arc de Triomphe with ridiculous ease having previously won the Derby at Epsom in similar fashion. Sea Bird's breeding was unexceptional to say the least; he was by an undistinguished stallion called Dan Cupid and on his dam's side not one of his five female forebears had won a race of any description. Hardly a handsome colt, he nevertheless possessed the long and graceful stride of a greyhound, and it was this, in the end that determined his greatness. In the Arc itself there was nothing that could live with Sea Bird. When the unbeaten French Derby winner, Reliance II, came to challenge Sea Bird , it looked for a brief moment as if he would make a race of it ,but his jockey Pat Glennon ,sensing the presence of Reliance, simply shifted Sea Bird into overdrive and the race was over. Sea ... Read more

the best horse i have ever seen he was a great champiion.

Great racehorses emerge in every generation and they can be found all over the world, most notably in the USA and Europe. But I have yet to witness a horse that can hold a candle to the exploits of the French colt Sea Bird II. Sea Bird raced for just two seasons but the impact this horse made on thoroughbred racing still reverberates to this day. In 1965 Sea Bird won two of the most prestigious horse races in the world, The Epsom Derby and The Prix de l'arc de Triomphe. in a common canter. It should not have been possible for a racehorse to treat world-class opposition in such a manner,but that's exactly what Sea Bird did, he brushed aside the very best that France, Britain, Ireland, Italy, Russia and the USA could muster against him with imperious contempt and with the bare minimum of effort. All the superlatives ever written could never do justice to this colossus of the turf. 45 years on, Sea Bird's star still shines brightly in the equine firmament.

Sea Bird was the greatest racehorse ever. He seemed to float over the ground and all his wins were effortless. He was the supreme racehorse.

I was 22 when I saw Sea Bird win the Arc in Paris in1965 and that memory has stayed with me all these years,I'm now 66. Sea Bird seemed to just float over the ground, it looked so effortless. I have always considered Sea Bird to be the 'Champion of Champions' in the sphere of thoroughbred racing.

I have seen many great horses,but Sea Bird II is easily the best I have ever seen. I don't think there has ever been a racehorse who comes close to Sea Bird II , he was simply the greatest there has ever been.

Sea Bird II was the greatest racehorse of the 20th century. He was never off the bridle in any of his victories. I, personally, have never seen another horse to compare with this truly outstanding thoroughbred. Ribot and Secretariat were great horses, but I am absolutely certain that Sea Bird would have beaten them.

Trained in France by Etienne Pollet, Sea Bird was quite simply the greatest European middle distance horse ever to have graced the turf. There have been many outstanding contenders for that accolade; most notably Ribot, Nijinsky, Mill Reef and Dancing Brave. However, none could hold a candle to the chestnut son of Dan Cupid and Sicalade. Ridden by Australian born Pat Glennon, formerly with Vincent O'Brien, Sea Bird won the 1965 Epsom Derby with the minimum of fuss, never coming off the bridle. He turned England's premier horse race into no more than an exercise canter, leaving seasoned observers awestruck, including the great Lester Piggott, who rode runner-up, Meadow Court, who would subsequently go on to win the King George & Queen Elizabeth stakes at Ascot.  The greatest international field ever assembled, lined - up for the 1965 Prix de l'arc de Triomphe - France's top horse race - and regarded by many as the best and most prestigious middle distance race in Europe. American Der... Read more

It is always difficult to compare horses from different eras,but  personally,I have absolutely no doubt that in 1965 I witnessed two  truly amazing performances in the Epsom Derby and later that year in the Prix de l'arc de Triomphe by the greatest racehorse in the history of thoroughbred racing:  Sea Bird II.  I am absolutely convinced that this great horse would have beaten all comers whether American,Australian or any other nationality. I know that I shall never see his like again.

He was ok, but he never would have won if he had been racing with horses like Ruffian, and The Biscuit.

His Arc win in 1965 was the greatest performance on a racetrack in Europe.In raw ability only Secretariat surpassed that in the 1973 Belmont Stakes.On the Arc day he beat the best Arc field evere mercilessly by 6 lenghts.To have proved himself completely the Bird should have raced as a 4 year old and on different types of going.His Epsom derby win was also perhaps the most effortless ever.

Sea Birds Prix de lArc de Triomphe was among the greatest performances ever over a brilliant field.