San Sebastian (21 April 1994 – 2005) was a British Thoroughbred racehorse who excelled over extended distances. Originally trained in Ireland he showed modest ability in his early career but improved steadily and recorded his first big win as a four-year-old when he took the Ascot Stakes. He returned to Ascot a year later to win the Queen Alexandra Stakes and was transferred to England at the end of the year. As a six-year-old he recorded his most prestigious win when he took the Group 1 Prix du Cadran at Longchamp Racecourse. He failed to win in 2001 and was then moved to France where he won over hurdles in Autumn. He shifted base for a final time when he was exported to New Zealand, where he won three steeplechases. Apart from his twelve victories the gelding was placed in several high-class races including the Prix Royal Oak, Goodwood Cup, Sagaro Stakes, Saval Beg Stakes and New Zealand Grand National. San Sebsatian died in his paddock in New Zealand at the age of 11 in December 2005. Background San Sebastian was a chestnut horse bred in England by the Hampshire-based Meon Valley Stud. In September 1995 the yearling colt was put up for auction at Tattersalls and sold to Brian Grassick Bloodstock for 32,000 guineas. He entered the ownership of Ricardo Sanz and was sent into training with Brian Grassick's brother Michael Grassick at the Curragh in Ireland. He was sired by the American-bred stallion Niniski, who won the Irish St Leger and the Prix Royal-Oak in 1979 before going on to sire many good staying horses including Petoski, Assessor, Minster Son and Hernando. San Sebastian's dam Top of the League showed modest racing ability, winning one minor event from thirteen starts. Top of the League also produced the Lancashire Oaks winner Noushkey as well as Chesa Plana, the dam of Alkaased. As a descendant of the broodmare Mesopotamia, she was also related to Halling, Cherokee Rose, Mukhadram, Mastery, Balla Cove and Alderbrook. Racing career Early career San Sebastian finished unplaced in all three of his starts as a juvenile in 1996. After his debut in a maiden race at Leopardstown Racecourse in August but the operation brought no immediate improvement as he was well beaten in minor races at the Curragh and Navan in October. In 1997 San Sebastian was campaigned in handicap races. After finishing ninth at Tipperary