THERE is no need to tell readers of this column how popular sons of Sea The Stars (Cape Cross) are proving to be with breeders, and not just on the flat.

National Hunt breeders have been supporting the likes of Group 1 winners Crystal Ocean, Harzand and Fifty Stars in large numbers, while the first-named in that group, and Affinisea, another son of the Arc hero, were mated with more than 730 mares last season.