Australia’s day as York prediction comes to fruition with Derby win

After winning the Juddmonte International on the classy Declaration Of War, the winning rider observed: “He’s special but wait until next year – Australia could be even better.”

Even though the colt had only enjoyed two unspectacular runs at that moment in time, he has been proved right.

This was a scintillating victory, even though the champion – trained with metronomic precision by the jockey’s father Aidan – was made to work hard by last year’s Racing Post Trophy winner Kingston Hill, who provided Andrea Atzeni with a dream first ride in the blue riband race.

While the victor had impeccable breeding – he was sired by a Derby winner Galileo out of an Oaks heroine in Ouija Board – the Epsom course is a roller-coaster which is still the ultimate test of horse and rider.

There was the small matter of O’Brien father and junior justifying weeks of hype in which they’d described Australia as the best horse to pass through their careful hands at Ballydoyle, comments that could have been made to look rash.

And then there was the inescapable fact that many of their horses have been running below par – despite their impeccable credentials as thoroughbreds. A virus is thought to be to blame.

However, while many questioned the hype, the O’Brien team was the personification of calmness as he was given a copybook ride by his 21-year-old jockey who appears to have modelled his style on the nine-times Derby winner Lester Piggott.

While others scrimmaged for position, Australia stayed out of trouble and then turned on the turbo-chargers to reel in Kingston Hill and demonstrate his champion qualities.

The only disappointed person among the 120,000 spectators was England cricketer Stuart Broad who oversaw the post-race presentation – this was the one horse that he did not want to win.

With a Derby in the bag, Australia now needs to show his class in other top races this summer for comparisons with the best of Ballydoyle to become even more convincing.

However, the historical significance of the result should not be overlooked.

This was a record sixth Derby for co-owners John Magnier and Michael Tabor, two of the masterminds behind O’Brien’s Ballydoyle stables and Coolmore breeding empire.

It was a fifth victory for O’Brien who became the first trainer in the race’s 234-year rich history to saddle three successive Derby victories, two of which have been ridden by his son.

Asked why Australia was the best, the bespectacled O’Brien offered this explanation: “It’s very simple, it’s pace. He has terrible pace, terrible class, he’s able to go from A to B so easy, which is so unique for a horse that’s bred the way he is. Everyone knew every sinew in his body was going to be tested here, he was going to have to quicken and have to travel. What makes him different is his natural pace.”

Reflecting on the magnitude of his personal achievement, he said: “It’s special but we are lucky to have such well-bred horses to handle, that’s the reality of it. When you have Galileos bred the way they are, everything is possible.

“We thought this horse was very special from the first day he worked. Maybe it is best to say nothing, but we’ve always thought he was very special – the way he is bred makes him very special.”

As for the future, the Irish Derby on June 28 looks enticing – but it was significant that O’Brien suggested Australia, third in the 2000 Guineas, could be even better over 10 furlongs.

That could open up the possibility of a trip to York for the Juddmonte – entries close on June 24 – followed by the Irish Champion Stakes on September 23. Australia is unlikely to be kept in training next season; the trainer acknowledged that his job is “to get him off to stud in one piece” to realise the colt’s future earning potential.

Of the vanquished, John Gosden’s Romsdal was a creditable third.

“He looks like a St Leger type to me,” said the trainer. “Yet again the Guineas form has come to the fore, it was obviously a very strong race. Kingman, The Grey Gatsby and now Australia have won the last three Classics since running at Newmarket.”

However, on Australia’s day at the Derby, the last word should go to the horse’s young rider who continues to handle the pressure of riding for his father – and Ballydoyle – with great assuredness. “Horses don’t come easier to ride than this fellow – he’s the best I’ve ridden,” said Joseph O’Brien moments after passing the winning post. Praise indeed.