Juddmonte International Stakes
Group 1, York 15:40 £800,000 added, 3yo plus, 1m 2f 88y, Class 1
Wednesday 20th August 2014

1 Australia 8/13F
2 The Grey Gatsby 12/1
3 Telescope 5/1
6 ran Distances: 2l, 2¼l, 3¼l
TIME 2m 7.35s (slow by 0.35s)

The Derby winner Australia storms home under Joseph O'Brien to win the Juddmonte International for father Aidan at York

Frankie Dettori: "He cruised into the race so well and, once he pressed the button, the race was over"

He may have won at Epsom over a mile and a half, but Joseph O'Brien says Australia's best trip is a mile or 1m2f

Australia
© Caroline Norris

Australia stylishly added to his increasingly impressive roll of honour by winning the Juddmonte International Stakes at York.

Aidan O'Brien's dual Derby winner was tackling his elders for the first time but he oozed class throughout under the trainer's son Joseph.

Another of the three-year-olds in the line-up, French Derby winner The Grey Gatsby, gave valiant chase but was beaten by a comfortable two lengths by the 8-13 favourite.

Joseph O'Brien

Joseph O'Brien said: "He was a bit fresh, his first run back after a while, but it was never really in doubt."

Kingfisher, Australia's pacemaker, set a generous pace but initially it was not quick enough for Mukhadram or Arod, who both raced keenly. The race hotted up with three furlongs to run as all six horses spread across the track.

Telescope briefly hit the front for Ryan Moore, but Joseph O'Brien, who had sweated down to below 9st for the first time in two years, had yet to ask the son of Galileo and Ouija Board for his main effort. Once he did, the race was over.

The Grey Gatsby
© Racehorse Photos

The Grey Gatsby further enhanced his reputation by beating some solid older horses, while Telescope finished outside the first two for the first time in his career.

Aidan O'Brien said: "We're delighted. I couldn't be happier. He was ready for a racecourse gallop, that was where he was at. There's such prize-money here and it's such a prestigious race that it's very hard to gallop him at a racecourse rather than bring him here.

"The impressive thing about this horse is that he has a lot of speed, he travels very strong. Joseph nursed him down the straight. The lads will decide what's next, but we had in our head to come here and then Leopardstown (Irish Champion Stakes, September 13) if everything went well."

Kevin Ryan was overjoyed with the runner-up, saying : "It was a fantastic run, Hughesie (Richard Hughes) gave him a fabulous ride. We've no excuses, the winner is a fabulous horse. The way he's finished it looks like he'll get a mile and a half, which opens up plenty of options, but we've no plans at this stage."

Juddmonte International Stakes
(Group 1) (British Champions Series)
£800,000 added, 3yo plus, 1m 2f 88y, Class 1
6 ran
Going: Good to Firm, Good in places