Juddmonte date for Australia

AIDAN O’BRIEN’S dual Derby winner Australia is set to be aimed at the £800,000 Juddmonte International Stakes on August 20.
Australia ridden by Joseph O'Brien, right, wins the Investec Derby from Kingston Hill.Australia ridden by Joseph O'Brien, right, wins the Investec Derby from Kingston Hill.
Australia ridden by Joseph O'Brien, right, wins the Investec Derby from Kingston Hill.

It is another major boost to the profile of York’s richest race which has been won by some of Flat racing’s all-time greats,

including Sea The Stars in 2009 and Frankel two summers ago.

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It is another boost to chief executive William Derby’s team at York after they successfully staged the Tour de France’s day two start last Sunday.

Hailed by the record-breaking Ballydoyle trainer as the best Flat horse that he has trained, the three-year-old was third in a vintage 2000 Guineas before landing the Epsom Derby.

He emulated his sire Galileo and dam Ouija Board in completing a Classic double at the Curragh when lifting the Irish Derby, and is now in line to drop back in trip for the 10-furlong Juddmonte.

O’Brien said: “Australia has been in terrific form since landing the Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby and he will now be trained for a tilt at the Juddmonte International Stakes at York and the Irish Champion Stakes at Leopardstown.”

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Potential rivals include stablemate Ruler Of The World, last year’s Derby winner, the William Haggas-trained Eclipse winner Mukhadram and John Gosden’s course specialist The Fugue who won last year’s Yorkshire Oaks.

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