O’Brien: ‘Australia the best horse I have ever had’

Australia powering to success at The Curragh. Image copyright of Racingfotos.com.

Aidan O’Brien has labelled his two-year-old star Australia as the ‘best horse he has ever had’ after displaying his British Classic credentials in an impressive win across the Irish Sea.

The Coolmore-owned juvenile, who is the antepost market leader for the 2014 Epsom Derby, has been unequivocally praised by his handler for a six-length demolition of his rivals in a Group 3 at Leopardstown.

By Champion Sire Galileo and out of the Epsom Oaks-winning heroine Ouija Board, Australia has an exquisite pedigree that shows he is bred to be a champion. O’Brien feels that he could be special.

“Everyone probably knows we always thought he was the best horse we’ve ever had," O’Brien said.

"He lost three or four lengths in the stalls the first day and the next day he was very green.

"I don’t want to be blowing up the horse but he was always doing things no two-year-old has ever done before."

Australia’s 2014 campaign could possibly see the Ballydoyle-based colt embark on a British Champions Series Middle Distance career, with not only the 2014 Epsom Derby at the forefront, but also the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Ascot.