SUNDERLAND Holding Inc, owned by the Tsui family, is to sponsor the Group 1 Sea The Stars Pretty Polly Stakes at the Curragh on June 28th.

The race honours the family’s wonderful racehorse and leading sire Sea The Stars and commemorates one of the greatest racemares of all time. The value of the race has been increased to €250,000. Recent winners include Dar Re Mi, Dance Design and Alexander Goldrun.

The Tsui family are Hong Kong based and now race under the name of Sunderland Holding Inc. They are long time supporters of breeding and racing in Ireland.

Paul Hensey, general manager of the Curragh, commented: “The Pretty Polly Stakes consistently attracts some of the top fillies in Europe and it is very appropriate that the race will carry the name of such a legendary racehorse and sire as Sea The Stars.”

Ling Tsui said “We are delighted to be able to support such a prestigious race for fillies. As Urban Sea, our wonderful mare, gave us such a great interest in racing and breeding, most especially in Ireland, we feel that it is apt that our first racing sponsorship is at the headquarters of Irish racing and close to the home of our stallions Sea The Stars and Born To Sea.”

Sea The Stars ran in the colours of Christopher Tsui and was victorious in six Group 1 races in as many months, including the Epsom Derby, Irish Champion Stakes and Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe.

Urban Sea raced for Christopher’s father David and carried his colours to victory in the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe in 1993. She has since gained immortality as the dam of Galileo and Sea The Stars. The latter stands at Gilltown Stud alongside his brother Born To Sea.