Sea The Stars secured racing immortality with victory in the Qatar Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe at Longchamp.

The John Oxx-trained colt carved his name into the annals of Turf history with a sixth consecutive Group One triumph.

Brilliantly ridden by the veteran Mick Kinane, who has been at the helm for all nine of Sea The Stars' racecourse appearances, the remarkable three-year-old emphatically justified red-hot favouritism. Youmzain, ridden by Kieren Fallon and trained by Mick Channon, finished second in the Arc for a third consecutive year. The Frankie Dettori-ridden Cavalryman stayed on for third, but was no match for the mercurial winner.

"[My heart] is still beating fairly slow, I think," Ox said. "It's wonderful that it's over - it's just a great relief. It's wonderful that he's come through it. He was in a nice position and he just had to step up the gears a bit to get out.

"Mick would not panic because this horse has the gears. That's what any jockey will tell you, if the horse has the speed and the gears he will get himself out of trouble."

It was the manner of Sea The Stars' triumph which made his exploits in France all the more exemplary.

Having been very keen and lost ground in the early throes of the race, many observers might have been forgiven for fearing the worst. Even approaching the top of the home turn, Kinane's partner was engulfed behind a wall of horses - with Set Sail and Grand Ducal ensuring a generous pace from the head of affairs.

Once the gaps appeared, however, the race changed suddenly. Stacelita went for the jugular inside the final 300 yards but Sea The Stars had all bases covered under his unflappable rider.

Exhibiting a jaw-dropping turn of foot, the Cape Cross colt scampered clear inside the final 200 yards to easily repel the challenge of the game Youmzain.