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West Australian (horse)
Encyclopedia
West Australian was a British-bred
Thoroughbred
racehorse
who won the first Triple Crown of Thoroughbred Racing
and the Ascot Gold Cup
.
He was a bay colt bred by John Bowes of Streatlam Castle that was foaled in 1850, being by Melbourne (sire of seven classic winners), his dam Mowerina (who had finished second in the 1,000 Guineas Stakes) was by the good racehorse and sire, Touchstone. West Australian was a brother to three winners: Marley Hill (bl c 1851), Victoria (b f 1853), and Nassau Stakes
winner Go-Ahead (br f 1855). He was also a half brother to The Old Orange Girl (b f 1860 Kingston) thrice winner of the Bentinck Memorial Stakes, Baragah (ch c 1861 Stockwell
) twice winner of the Bentinck Memorial Stakes and Ebor Handicap
and Westwick (b c 1863 Stockwell).
Stakes and the St. Leger Stakes
to become the first Triple Crown
winner.
He was sold in 1854 for 5,000 guineas to Lord Londesborough for whom he won the Ascot Gold Cup in the fastest time for the Cup.
purposes and stood at Kirkby, near Tadcaster, for a fee of 30 guineas, beside Stockwell. Here he sired the Epsom Oaks
winner, Summerside and the 2,000 Thousand Guineas winner, The Wizard. In 1860 West Australian was sold for 4,000 guineas to Charles Auguste Louis Joseph, duc de Morny
and sent to Haras de Viroflay in France. After Morny died in 1862, West Australian was moved to the French National Stud at Haras du Pin.
His best progeny included:
West Australian died on the 2 May 1870 at Haras du Pin in France. A small stone memorial commemorating his victories was erected on the grounds of Bowes' Streatlam Castle.
Great Britain
Great Britain or Britain is an island situated to the northwest of Continental Europe. It is the ninth largest island in the world, and the largest European island, as well as the largest of the British Isles...
Thoroughbred
Thoroughbred
The Thoroughbred is a horse breed best known for its use in horse racing. Although the word thoroughbred is sometimes used to refer to any breed of purebred horse, it technically refers only to the Thoroughbred breed...
racehorse
Horse racing
Horse racing is an equestrian sport that has a long history. Archaeological records indicate that horse racing occurred in ancient Babylon, Syria, and Egypt. Both chariot and mounted horse racing were events in the ancient Greek Olympics by 648 BC...
who won the first Triple Crown of Thoroughbred Racing
Triple Crown of Thoroughbred Racing
The Triple Crown of Thoroughbred Racing consists of three races for three-year-old Thoroughbred horses. Winning all three of these Thoroughbred horse races is considered the greatest accomplishment of a Thoroughbred racehorse...
and the Ascot Gold Cup
Ascot Gold Cup
The Gold Cup is a Group 1 flat horse race in Great Britain open to thoroughbreds aged four years or older. It is run at Ascot over a distance of 2 miles and 4 furlongs , and it is scheduled to take place each year in June....
.
He was a bay colt bred by John Bowes of Streatlam Castle that was foaled in 1850, being by Melbourne (sire of seven classic winners), his dam Mowerina (who had finished second in the 1,000 Guineas Stakes) was by the good racehorse and sire, Touchstone. West Australian was a brother to three winners: Marley Hill (bl c 1851), Victoria (b f 1853), and Nassau Stakes
Nassau Stakes
The Nassau Stakes is a Group 1 flat horse race in Great Britain open to thoroughbred fillies and mares aged three years or older. It is run at Goodwood over a distance of 1 mile, 1 furlong and 192 yards , and it is scheduled to take place each year in late July or early August.-History:The title of...
winner Go-Ahead (br f 1855). He was also a half brother to The Old Orange Girl (b f 1860 Kingston) thrice winner of the Bentinck Memorial Stakes, Baragah (ch c 1861 Stockwell
Stockwell (horse)
Stockwell was a British Thoroughbred racehorse and a Leading sire in Great Britain & Ireland seven times; he was second on the sires' list a further four times during a 14-year period.-Breeding:...
) twice winner of the Bentinck Memorial Stakes and Ebor Handicap
Ebor Handicap
The Ebor Handicap is a flat horse race in Great Britain which is open to thoroughbreds aged three years or older. It is run at York over a distance of 1 mile and 6 furlongs , and it is scheduled to take place each year in August....
and Westwick (b c 1863 Stockwell).
Racing record
West Australian was trained by John Scott and affectionately known as "The West". He was second in his first start and then won his next nine race starts, including the 2,000 Guineas Stakes, the Epsom DerbyEpsom Derby
The Derby Stakes, popularly known as The Derby, internationally as the Epsom Derby, and under its present sponsor as the Investec Derby, is a Group 1 flat horse race in Great Britain open to three-year-old thoroughbred colts and fillies...
Stakes and the St. Leger Stakes
St. Leger Stakes
The St. Leger Stakes is a Group 1 flat horse race in Great Britain which is open to three-year-old thoroughbred colts and fillies. It is run at Doncaster over a distance of 1 mile, 6 furlongs and 132 yards , and it is scheduled to take place each year in September.Established in 1776, the St. Leger...
to become the first Triple Crown
Triple Crown of Thoroughbred Racing
The Triple Crown of Thoroughbred Racing consists of three races for three-year-old Thoroughbred horses. Winning all three of these Thoroughbred horse races is considered the greatest accomplishment of a Thoroughbred racehorse...
winner.
He was sold in 1854 for 5,000 guineas to Lord Londesborough for whom he won the Ascot Gold Cup in the fastest time for the Cup.
Stud record
West Australian was retired to stud for breedingHorse breeding
Horse breeding is reproduction in horses, and particularly the human-directed process of selective breeding of animals, particularly purebred horses of a given breed. Planned matings can be used to produce specifically desired characteristics in domesticated horses...
purposes and stood at Kirkby, near Tadcaster, for a fee of 30 guineas, beside Stockwell. Here he sired the Epsom Oaks
Epsom Oaks
The Oaks Stakes is a Group 1 flat horse race in Great Britain open to three-year-old thoroughbred fillies. It is run at Epsom Downs over a distance of 1 mile, 4 furlongs and 10 yards , and it is scheduled to take place each year in early June....
winner, Summerside and the 2,000 Thousand Guineas winner, The Wizard. In 1860 West Australian was sold for 4,000 guineas to Charles Auguste Louis Joseph, duc de Morny
Charles Auguste Louis Joseph, duc de Morny
Charles Auguste Louis Joseph Demorny/de Morny, 1st Duc de Morny was a French statesman...
and sent to Haras de Viroflay in France. After Morny died in 1862, West Australian was moved to the French National Stud at Haras du Pin.
His best progeny included:
- Australian, exported to US where he sired the 1877 Kentucky DerbyKentucky DerbyThe Kentucky Derby is a Grade I stakes race for three-year-old Thoroughbred horses, held annually in Louisville, Kentucky, United States on the first Saturday in May, capping the two-week-long Kentucky Derby Festival. The race is one and a quarter mile at Churchill Downs. Colts and geldings carry...
winner, Baden-BadenBaden-Baden (horse)Baden-Baden was an American Thoroughbred racehorse best known for winning the 1877 Kentucky Derby. He was bred by A. J. Alexander at his Woodburn Stud in Woodford County, Kentucky. Baden-Baden was sired by Australian ; his dam, Lavender, was sired by Wagner...
, SpendthriftSpendthriftA spendthrift is someone who spends money prodigiously and who is extravagant and recklessly wasteful, often to a point where the spending climbs well beyond his or her means...
(who continued the American sire-line as the sire of HastingsHastings (horse)Hastings was an American Thoroughbred racehorse and stallion. Foaled in Versailles, Kentucky, and bred by Dr. J. D. Nest, he was sired by Spendthrift out of the imported Cinderella by Blue Ruin.Originally, Hastings was bought by David Gideon and John Daly at auction as a yearling for $2,800...
and KingstonKingston (horse)Kingston was an American Thoroughbred racehorse. He won 89 races, the most in the history of the sport of Thoroughbred racing. Of his 138 starts, he was out of the money only on four occasions. He was later inducted into the United States Racing Hall of Fame.-Breeding:He was bred by James R. Keene...
) and other good racehorses. - Jeune Premiere (FR ) (won Prix de DianePrix de DianeThe Prix de Diane, sometimes referred to as the French Oaks, is a Group 1 flat horse race in France open to three-year-old thoroughbred fillies...
) - Ruy Blas, won 14 of his 19 starts, including the Grosser Preis von BadenGrosser Preis von BadenThe Grosser Preis von Baden is a Group 1 flat horse race in Germany which is open to thoroughbreds aged three years or older. It is run at Baden-Baden over a distance of 2,400 metres , and it is scheduled to take place each year in early September.-History:The event was established in 1858, and it...
in Germany. Retired to stud in France, he sired three extraordinary fillies--Destinee, Nubienne, and Serpolette II, all winners of the Prix de Diane. Nubienne also captured the Grand Prix de ParisGrand Prix de ParisThe Grand Prix de Paris is a Group 1 flat horse race in France open to three-year-old thoroughbred colts and fillies. It is run at Longchamp over a distance of 2,400 metres , and it is scheduled to take place each year in July.-History:...
. - Solon (IRE), sired the undefeated BarcaldineBarcaldine (horse)Barcaldine was an outstanding, undefeated British Thoroughbred racehorse and sire. He succeeded in carrying on the Matchem sire-line which would have died out in Europe without his sons and grandsons...
who maintained the British sire-line down through to the undefeated, Hurry OnHurry OnHurry On was an outstanding, undefeated British Thoroughbred racehorse and sire that revived the Matchem sire line. For a trainer who conditioned as many top winners as the Englishman Fred Darling, the observation that Hurry On was the best horse he ever trained is high praise indeed.-Breeding:He...
to PrecipitationPrecipitation (horse)Precipitation was an influential British bred Thoroughbred stallion who is found in the pedigrees of many racehorses and sport horses today. He alone is responsible for maintaining the Matchem sireline, through Sheshoon, except for the American Fair Play branch.-Pedigree:He was by Hurry On and out...
. - Summerside (won Epsom Oaks Stakes)
- The Wizard (Two Thousand Guineas)
West Australian died on the 2 May 1870 at Haras du Pin in France. A small stone memorial commemorating his victories was erected on the grounds of Bowes' Streatlam Castle.