The Coolmore partners and Aidan O’Brien combined for further Group 1 glory when AUSTRALIA landed the Juddmonte International at York last Wednesday in magnificent style. The dual Derby winner proved he is equally as good if not better over ten furlongs with a comfortable success over The Grey Gatsby (IRE) with Telescope (IRE) back in third. Joseph O’Brien was always travelling smoothly and he eased Australia to the lead gradually up the long York straight and it was apparent two furlongs out that there would be only one outcome. Joseph’s effort to get down to his minimum weight was well rewarded and he commented; "He was a bit fresh, his first run back after a while, but it was never really in doubt."

Australia has a beautiful racing temperament to go with his regal lineage and is a fine example of the old breeding theory of breeding the best to the best and hoping for the best. By the all-conquering Galileo, his dam Ouija Board also reached the pinnacle of racing achievements by winning two Classics and two Breeders Cup races in addition to four other Group 1 races. He looks as good as any horse to have emerged from Ballydoyle this century and his next appearance, hopefully in the QIPCO Irish Champions Stakes at Leopardstown will be eagerly anticipated.

It was a phenomenal week at York for Irish trainers as they landed the feature race on each of the four days and ended up with five winners in total. Aidan O’Brien doubled up his Group 1 tally when TAPESTRY (IRE) overturned the long odds on-shot Taghrooda in the Darley Yorkshire Oaks. The daughter of Galileo has now emulated her dam Rumpelstiltskin by winning a Group 1 and we also look forward to seeing her younger full brother John F Kennedy (IRE) who broke his maiden very impressively recently.

Friday at York saw the still improving SOLE POWER register his fourth Group 1 win in the Coolmore Nunthorpe Stakes. Winner of the race four years previously, Eddie Lynam’s 7yo was steered through the eye of a needle by Richard Hughes and he showed a remarkable blend of acceleration and nimbleness to squeeze through a gap fifty metres from the line to win a shade comfortably. It was great to hear post-race that Irish race-goers should get the chance to see Sole Power in action on home soil for the first time in three years when he lines up for the Flying Five Stakes on Irish Champions Weekend at the Curragh.

Earlier at York on Friday, PALE MIMOSA (IRE) landed her biggest success when winning the Group 2 Lonsdale Cup, staying on bravely to beat Estimate (IRE) by half a length. Bred by The Irish National Stud, the 5yo filly could be aimed at the Melbourne Cup by connections with the possibility of firm ground at Flemington the only concern. Pale Mimosa (IRE) carries the Cheltenham Gold Cup winning colours of Dr Ronan Lambe and she was recently bought into by Charles Noelles’ and John Moores’ Merriebelle Partnership. The Merriebelle team had further cause for celebration when TIGGY WIGGY (IRE), whom they co-own with Chris Giles broke the 2yo track record at York when winning the Group 2 Lowther Stakes. The Richard Hannon trained filly was a first Group winner for Tally-Ho Stud Stallion Kodiac and she was bred by Paul and Marie McCartan’s Ballyphillip Stud.

The fifth Irish trained winner of the week at York came on Saturday when the Johnny Murtagh trained MUTUAL REGARD (IRE) won Europe’s richest Handicap the Betfred Ebor. The 5yo was bred by Moyglare Stud and is owned by Andrew Tinkler who was credited by Murtagh for booking the jockey Louis Steward and also buying the winner at the horse in training sales. It was the second leg of a Moylare Stud bred York double as earlier CUSTOM CUT (IRE) won the Group 3 Strensall Stakes. The David O’Meara trained 5yo was winning his fourth stakes race in a row and the tough campaigner was originally a bargain buy at Goffs Horse In Training Sale when sold to his previous trainer George Kent for €5,800.

A remarkable week in England for Irish trainers culminated at Goodwood on Sunday when ANSGAR (IRE) won the Group 3 Supreme Stakes for Curragh trainer Sabrina Harty. It was the second Group 3 win this season for the son of Celtic Swing who was bred by Chynel Phelan who co-owns the 6yo with Shane Fox.