Exceptional colt Australia has officially been crowned one of the world’s premier racehorses overnight at the Longines World’s Best Racehorse Ceremony in a glittering evening at Claridge’s Hotel in London, Great Britain.
The accolade is a fitting reward for a three-year-old who reigned over Europe’s premier classic events throughout 2014 and was anointed as the pre-eminent 2000m – 2400m three-year-old of his generation. Australia was officially awarded co-third best horse in the world with his rating crowning him equal best three-year-old in the world.
The rankings are confirmed under the auspices of The Federation of Horseracing Authorities which takes in performances from thoroughbreds that competed in 2014 in North and South America, Europe, the Middle East, Australia, New Zealand, Asia and South Africa.
“Australia may be a horse of a lifetime for the China Horse Club. The joy he has brought to so many and the fact that his performances caught the attention of people in China that have previously had little interest in thoroughbred racing singles him out as very special,” said Mr Teo Ah Khing, Chairman of the China Horse Club.
Mr Teo Ah Khing, Chairman of the China Horse Club
“To have had a racehorse that is so gifted and so charismatic so early in our journey is very special indeed. Our members are eager to find another one like him or one that will provide us with more wonderful experiences.”
Australia was awarded ‘equal third best horse in the world’ at the Longines World Best Racehorse Ceremony overnight at Claridge’s Hotel in London
Australia’s triple G1 triumph unequivocally singled him out as the premier classic three-year-old in 2014. After commencing his season with a game and close up third in the G1 Two Thousand Guineas at Newmarket in England, the regally bred chestnut spread-eagled the best of his generation in the ultimate test, the Investec Epsom Derby in the same country.
The stranglehold Australia had over his peers was evident when only four rivals elected to oppose him three weeks later and he canted up in the G1 Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby in what looked little more than an exercise gallop.
After a short break trainer Aidan O’Brien was ready to unveil a stronger and more imposing version of his stable talisman. The target the champion trainer set his cross-hairs on was the G1 Juddmonte International, the summer championship of Europe.
Mr Teo Ah Khing with Aidan O’Brien
Australia, the dominant classic force of his generation was to be pitted against the best performers in Europe of all ages. In a small but elite field fans of Australia were dazzled by a turn of foot that was equal to the lavish praise O’Brien had long trumpeted. The iconic trainer had intoned that this colt may just be the best he had trained. That he had the speed to win over a mile and the heart to rein in the great classics. In an explosive few strides Australia underlined the merit of such impassioned talk when moving from last to first with an effortlessness that all but defies description. The clinical execution of an outstanding field was testament to the lightly raced colt’s capabilities.
Three G1 wins in three successive starts.
The exceptional Japanese performer Just A Way was crowned World Champion with his most notable performance being a freakish six and a quarter length track record win in the USD5 million G1 Dubai Duty Free Stakes on the Dubai World Cup program in March.
Japanese star Epiphaneia was elevated to second best horse in the world after his victory in the G1 Japan Cup in November. Third best horse in the world was shared between a trio of three-year-olds and the South African racehorse Variety Club.
The three-year-olds Australia, Kingman and The Grey Gatsby were awarding an equal rating of 127, two points below Epiphaneia (129) and with Just A Way providing a season ending rating of 130.