AUSTRALIA BY KINGSBARNS

On 10th October 2012 at Tattersalls Yearling Sale, a chestnut colt by Derby winner Galileo out of Oaks winner Ouija Board. His pedigree lit up book one and was snapped up swiftly by Demi O'Byrne on behalf of the powerful Coolmore operation for 525,000 guineas. In March 2013, we all found out he was to be named Australia and be sent into training with the master of Ballydoyle, Aidan O'Brien, no-one could have predicted what a superstar he was going to turn out to be. 

On 30th June 2013, Australia featured in a very hot 7f maiden at the Curragh. He was sent off evens favourite under Joseph O'Brien and although he lost a lot of ground coming out of the stalls, he finished like a train to go down around a length to Renaissance Art who had first run and the lads at Ballydoyle knew they had a future superstar in their arsenal. After that opening defeat, Australia had unfinished business with the Curragh and returned to the track for another crack at breaking his duck. Again, the exact same conditions, and he made no mistake this time, beating now very good filly Carla Bianca by 0.75l. If you thought that run was impressive, then his final run of the season in the Group 3 Breeders Cup Juvenile Turf Trial at the Curragh was out of this world, coming from off the pace to demolish very high regarded juvenile, Free Eagle by 6l although Weld revealed afterwards Free Eagle had injured himself in the process. Aidan never held back on his comments about this colt, saying he is probably the best horse he has ever trained (And we all know how many good things Aidan has trained in the past!). 

At the beginning of his 3yo season, Australia picked up where he left off, although not winning, finishing 3rd in a scorching hot 2000 Guineas 0.25l behind Night Of Thunder, being by far the best in the field without a run and also taking in the fact that Ballydoyle was plagued with a sickness bug. The Epsom Derby was next on the agenda for this son of Galileo, the day we were all waiting for from day 1. His destiny was set, Australia jumped out and shown what a spectacular temperament he had by settling into the race within a few strides. He traveled exceptionally well throughout and shown an excellent turn of pace to finish off the battling hard Kingston Hill by 1.5l. 3 weeks later, Australia emulated his parents on the Curragh, souping up on the bridal in the Irish Derby with Joseph wittingly saying afterwards 'All I had to do was make sure I didn't fall off him' and the quotes of 'best ever' were soon to follow. Australia then had a well deserved break whilst the lads decided on his next target, which turned out to be the Juddmonte International at York over 10f. Again, Australia shown speed, class, power and determination to see off The Grey Gatsby by 2l which Joseph not really having to get serious with him, I for one said straight after, this fella is the best middle distance horse Aidan O'Brien has ever trained. Unfortunately, Australia was to taste defeat in the Irish Champion Stakes, with The Grey Gatsby coming forward again from the Juddmonte International under an inspired ride by the best jockey in the world, Ryan Moore. History was repeating itself as Galileo AND Ouija Board were both turned over in the race. Joseph O'Brien shown balls of steel to come out and admit his mistakes that should never have happened and we were all expecting one more start for Australia, which was due to be in the QIPCO Champion Stakes on Saturday but sadly on Saturday, we all learnt that Australia had been involved in an accident at Ballydoyle and had to be retired as a result, he will now stand as a stallion next door to his dad at Coolmore Stud. Thank you Australia for all the pleasure you have gave us over the last two seasons, I was priveleged to see you race in the flesh at York and I can not wait to see your progeny in action on the race track. See you around, champ.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

AUSTRALIA BY ANDREW O'BRIEN

Australia was described this year by Aidan O'Brien as the best horse  he has trained. The colt, who will be retired to Coolmore stud, County  Tipperary, for next years breeding season.

Australia has the bluest of blood lines as a son of Derby winner and five times champion sire  Galileo out of Ouija Board who won seven group one races including the 2004 Epsom Oaks.

He was foaled on 8th April 2011. He is a chestnut colt with a narrow white blaze. Bred by Stanley House stud, owned by Lord Derby.

In October 2012, the yearling was sent to the Tattersalls sales where he was purchased for 525,000 Guineas by Coolmore. Australia ran in the ownership of a partnership consisting of  Derrick Smith, John Magnier, Michael Tabor and the Malaysian architect and entrepreneur Teo Ah Khing of Desert Star Holdings. Joseph O’Brien has ridden Australia in all of his eight races.

John Magnier’s wife is in charge of naming Coolmore’s horses. Her husband said she had kept the name Australia for a promising horse who might one day stand at their Australian Stud.

Australia made his racecourse debut on 30th June 2013, in a 7 furlong maiden at the Curragh. He was made favourite, but started very slowly and although he finished strongly he failed by a neck to catch the Jim Bolger trained Renaissance Art. He returned to the Curragh  on 20th July over the 7 furlongs and recorded his first success, beating Carla Bianca by just under a length at odds of 30/100.

On 7th September  He was then moved up in class for the Group Three Breeders Cup Juvenile Turf Trial Stakes over one mile at Leopardstown. In a four runner race he started second favourite behind Free Eagle trained by Dermot Weld who had won on his debut by five and a half lengths. Australia raced in third behind Kingfisher and Free Eagle before taking the lead approaching the final furlong. In the closing stages he accelerated clear to win by six lengths in impressive style.

On 3rd May making his three-year-old seasonal debut in the 2014 2000 Guineas over the Rowley mile at Newmarket. He started 5/2 second favorite in the betting, he raced down the stands side as the field split into two groups on either side of the wide Newmarket straight. He took the lead of the stands side group in the closing stages but was beaten into third by Night Of Thunder and Kingman, beaten ¾ of a length.  

On 7th June, Australia started 11/8 favourite for the Derby ahead of Kingston Hill 15/2 in a field of sixteen runners. Once underway Joseph O'Brien settled Australia towards the rear of the field. Approaching Tattenham Corner Australia made rapid progress on the outside and moved into contention early in the straight as Kingston Hill took the lead. Australia overtook Kingston Hill approaching the final furlong and won decisively by one and a quarter lengths.

After the race, Aidan O'Brien said, a long time ago we thought he was very special, we wanted to be here with him, but you can never be sure because there are so many variables.  Things can go wrong so big credit to everyone at home. Joseph O'Brien commented, horses don't come any easier to ride than this one. He's the best.

Australia contested the Irish Derby at the Curragh on 28th June in an attempt to follow in the footsteps of both his parents by winning both country's classics, and started at odds of 1/8 in what was described as little more than an exercise routine. Australia won very easily by two and a half lengths from his stable companion Kingfisher.

After a break on 20th of August Australia travelled to York to compete in the International against older horses for the first time. Prior to the race there was speculation as to who would ride Australia as Joseph O’Brien would be unable to make the 8st 12 lb required. Three days before the race it was revealed Joseph O'Brien was going to make the weight, the first time he would ride under 9st since riding Magician in the Dubai Sheema Classic. Despite the strong field including Hardwicke stakes winner Telescope, Mukhadram the Eclipse winner and French Derby winner The Grey Gatsby, Australia started the 8/13 favourite. Like at Epsom Australia was sitting at the back with The Grey Gatsby they both ran on in the last 3 furlongs with Australia going on to win by two lengths, becoming the first horse to complete the Derby and International double in the same season since Sea The Stars.

On 14th September, Australia faced a rematch against The Grey Gatsby in the Irish Champion Stakes at Leopardstown and started the 30/100 favourite against a field which also included Al Kazeem, Mukhadram and Trading Leather despite Joseph O'Brien being unable to ride at 9 stone, leading to the colt carrying one pound overweight. He was restrained at the rear of the field before making progress on the wide outside on the turn into the straight. He took the lead approaching the final furlong but was overtaken in the closing stages and beaten a neck by The Grey Gatsby. Australia had suffered the same feat as both his parents, who were both beaten narrowly in the same race.  After the race Aidan O'Brien said, everything that could go wrong, went wrong. Joseph O’Brien said, I’d probably do things slightly differently if I had it back again, but we live and learn.

On Saturday 11th October 2014, it was announced that Australia would be retired. He had developed a hoof infection and a suspected abcess, and no doubt he will become an outstanding breeding stallion for Coolmore Stud, with many more stories to come over the next few years.

THREE GENERATION PEDIGREE:

AUSTRALIA’S RACE RECORD: