Bred for Epsom success, the son of 2001 Derby winner Galileo and 2004 Oaks
Australia also made history for himself and his parents, becoming only the
Australia, always traveling sweetly under Joseph O’Brien, showed an
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Aidan O’Brien, whose Derby honor roll comprises Australia’s sire Galileo
(2001), High Chaparral (2002), Camelot and Ruler of the World last year, paid
tribute to the royal bloodlines in his yard.
“It’s special to train three successive Derby winners, but we are very lucky
to have such well-bred horses to handle — that’s the reality of it,” the
horseman said. “With the bloodlines we have we are lucky. When the lads brought
this horse from the sales we thought he was very good and he had the pedigree to
go with it.
“We said what we thought about Australia and maybe the best thing is often
not to say it,” the trainer added regarding his unstinting praise of the colt.
“We thought that he was very special always and what was very special about him
is the way he’s bred, being by Galileo, and the pace that he has that makes him
very special. I think he showed that today, the way he traveled through the
race.
“The way he goes from A to B so easily makes him unique. Horses that do that
don’t normally get a mile and a half. To get a mile and a half like that at
Epsom every sinew in his body was going to be tested — he had to settle,
quicken, and handle the hurly burly and everything but what makes him different
is his natural pace.”
O’Brien also discussed how the spring had not been entirely straightforward
for the yard. Australia, who had a cough earlier in the year, recovered well to
finish third in the Two Thousand Guineas in his reappearance.
“Our horses have been under a cloud all year,” the trainer said. “John
(Halley) had to medicate them all in the spring and it’s hard bringing them back
from that and even now some are running a bit in and out. The weather’s also
been very wet in Ireland so he hadn’t done the same work as other Derby winners.
Joseph had great belief in the horse and we’re delighted to be here.
“He’s unique the way he can go from anywhere a mile up. I didn’t say
beforehand but I had it in my mind that if he didn’t perform here he could go
for the St James’s Palace (back at a mile at Royal Ascot June 17).”
Joseph O’Brien didn’t have an anxious moment as the Derby unfolded.
“The race pretty much went as planned,” his rider said. “He’s traveled so
well during the race and just idled a bit when he hit the front.
“I went wide throughout as I didn’t want to break his stride and just wanted
to give him a nice passage through the race.
“We’ve made no secret about what we think about this horse and I knew I was
on the best one so just wanted to give him a chance to do himself justice.
“I think 10 furlongs will be his best trip. There’s no real pressure from my
father (the trainer) as we normally come to the same conclusion about how we’re
going to ride the horses.
“For a lot of the way, I had a grand position, and I was going very easy
coming down the hill, nearly a shade too easy. I just got nudged out coming to
the bend — I just had to keep waiting, get him balanced and straightened up. I
got there a mile too soon but I had to stay going where I was getting.
“They went a nice even pace and I was cantering the whole way. I got there
too soon and he had a good look but I had to stay going.
Co-owner Michael Tabor said: “We bought him at the sales for a considerable
When asked about Australia’s name, co-owner John Magnier said: “My wife does
Co-owner Derrick Smith had extra reason to celebrate, for his son Paul owns
The trio of Coolmore principals partnered with Teo Ah Khing, an architect who
“This is the first time there has been any Chinese representation in the
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“This win will make sure a lot of Chinese and Asian interests will pay
special attention to this famous race. My heart was beating very fast as the
horses came down the straight.
“Now we all hope he continues to become a great racehorse, and one day a
great stallion.”
Australia was bred by the 19th Lord Derby, a descendant of the 12th Earl of
Derby, whose name was given to the famous race in 1780.
Reflecting on Saturday’s historic victory by the colt, Lord Derby said: “It’s
a fantastic thing for the Stanley family, and particularly my brother, Peter,
who bred Ouija Board and manages the stud.
“You cannot take away a first classic win as an owner/breeder, which is what
Ouija Board achieved for us — that was amazing to see my colors win at this
racecourse — but if it cannot be in my colors the only way to go higher was to
breed the Derby winner.
“The reality is that most great racemares don’t go on to be great broodmares,
although their grandchildren may do it. Miesque and Urban Sea broke that trend,
and maybe Ouija Board is on her way to joining them. I cannot tell you how lucky
and proud I feel to think we have done this.
“We have a yearling colt out of Ouija Board by Dubawi at home, and there will
be a lot of discussion among the family before we decide whether to sell or keep
him. After today the odds have moved closer to keeping him.
“Ouija Board did not have a foal this year, but she is now carrying to
Galileo (a full sibling to Australia).”
Australia negotiated about 1 1/2 miles on Epsom’s undulating course in 2:33
3/5, advancing his career record to 5-3-1-1.
Kingston Hill finished 3 1/4 lengths clear of third-place finisher Romsdal.
“I’m very proud of the horse,” trainer Roger Varian said of Kingston Hill.
“He did nothing wrong. It was an impressive run that was full of promise. He’s
back to his two-year-old form and we hope he comes out of this well then we have
a lot to look forward to.
“The winner is very good and the Guineas form has stood up. I knew how tough
my horse is and I was very confident he’d get the trip so I’m a hoarse from
cheering him. I knew he’d go down fighting. We’ll see what paths we both go down
now and they could meet again.”
John Gosden said of third Romsdal: “He has run a great race. I couldn’t be
happier with him. He is a hugely talented horse and was doing his best work at
the end. It was bold to supplement him for the race but we’ve won some money. He
stayed on well and he has real stamina. It’s likely to go to the St. Leger.”
Arod reported home fourth, followed by Red Galileo; Gosden’s other runner,
Western Hymn; True Story; Fascinating Rock; Ebanoran; the winner’s stablemate
Kingfisher; Impulsive Moment; another O’Brien trainee in Orchestra; Our Channel;
Pinzolo; Sudden Wonder; and the final Ballydoyle representative, Geoffrey
Chaucer, who was eased.
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