Order of Australia (Ire) (Australia {GB}) only drew into the race with the scratch of One Master (Fastnet Rock {Aus}) and needed a back-up rider when Christophe Soumillon was sidelined by a positive COVID test, but the 3-year-old overcame it all to lead home a one-two-three finish for Coolmore and trainer Aidan O'Brien in the GI Fanduel Breeders' Cup Mile Saturday at Keeneland.
Off as a 73-1 outsider with Pierre-Charles Boudot picking up the ride from Soumillon, Order of Australia was able to get down into the three path after veering a bit outward at the break and sat within striking distance as Halladay (War Front) and Factor This (The Factor) eyeballed each other up front. Looming a threat turning for home, the bay sophomore took command inside the final sixteenth of a mile and withstood a late run from G1 Queen Anne S. winner Circus Maximus (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) for the victory.
“Aidan [O'Brien] was very confident before the race and he told me, 'He is fast and he's a proper horse for the mud and the good ground and he did it very well,” Boudot said after winning his second championship race of the day. “I took a good place just behind the pace. He travelled very nicely on the bridle and
when I ask him, he give me a very nice turn of foot.”
Earlier on the card, Boudot rode Audarya (Fr) (Wootton Bassett {GB}) to victory in the F/M Turf. It was another pick-up mount for the jockey after Ioritz Mendizabal tested positive for COVID.
“It's a dream come true,” Boudot said of the double. “It is only by chance to get these rides and I'm sorry for Ioritz Mendizabal and Christophe Soumillon. It's a difficult situation with COVID, but I was given two nice opportunities. I'm over the moon.”
It was the 13th Breeders' Cup win for trainer Aidan O'Brien, but his first in the Mile and it was the second biggest upset in Breeders' Cup history.
“It's a real team effort, we're very happy,” said Pat Keating, O'Brien's traveling head man. “First three home is unbelievable. You need a lot of luck in this game. We're lucky enough to have good horses and good jockeys. I'm just happy for everyone involved.”
Order of Australia was fourth in the G1 Irish Derby and seventh in the G1 Prix du Jockey Club while still a maiden and he only won his first race four starts back at Dundalk Sept. 18. He followed up with an allowance win at The Curragh Sept. 27 and was a well-beaten ninth in a listed race in Kildare last time out Oct. 11.
Pedigree Notes:
The unraced Senta's Dream is also the dam of last year's GI Breeders' Cup F/M Turf winner Iridessa (Ire) (Ruler of the World {Ire}). Order of Australia's second dam is 2002 GI F/M Turf winner Starine (Fr) (Mendocino), who sold for $1 million at that year's Keeneland November sale.
Order of Australia's 2-year-old half -sister Santa Barbara (Ire) (Camelot {GB}) was tabbed a 'TDN Rising Star' following a debut win at The Curragh Sept. 26.
Australia, winner of the 2014 G1 Irish Derby, is a son of two-time F/M Turf winner Oujia Board (GB) (Cape Cross {Ire}). Order of Australia is his 12th graded stakes winner and his second Group 1 winner. His son Galileo Chrome (Ire) won this year's G1 English St. Leger S.
Saturday, Keeneland
FANDUEL BREEDERS' CUP MILE PRESENTED BY PDJF-GI, $1,840,000, Keeneland, 11-7, 3yo/up, 1mT, 1:33.73, fm.
1–ORDER OF AUSTRALIA (IRE), 123, c, 3, by Australia (GB)
1st Dam: Senta's Dream (GB), by Danehill
2nd Dam: Starine (Fr), by Mendocino
3rd Dam: Grisonnante (Fr), by Kaldoun (Fr)
1ST BLACK-TYPE WIN, 1ST GRADED STAKES WIN, 1ST GRADE I
WIN. O-Derrick Smith, Mrs. John Magnier, Michael B. Tabor &
Anne Marie O'Brien; B-Whisperview Trading Ltd (IRE); T-Aidan
O'Brien; J-Pierre-Charles Boudot. $1,040,000. Lifetime
Record: 8-3-0-1, $1,096,675. *1/2 to Iridessa (Ire) (Ruler of
The World (IRE)), GISW-USA, G1SW-Eng, MG1SW-Ire,
$1,988,198. Werk Nick Rating: A+++ *Triple Plus*.
Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree.
2–Circus Maximus (Ire), 126, c, 4, Galileo (Ire)–Duntle (Ire), by
Danehill Dancer (Ire). O-Michael B. Tabor, Derrick Smith, Mrs.
John Magnier & Flaxman Holdings, Ltd.; B-Flaxman Stables
Ireland Ltd. (IRE); T-Aidan P. O'Brien. $340,000.
3–Lope Y Fernandez (Ire), 123, c, 3, Lope de Vega (Ire)–Black
Dahlia (GB), by Dansili (GB). (€900,000 Ylg '18 ARAUG).
'TDN Rising Star' O-Derrick Smith, Mrs. John Magnier &
Michael Tabor; B-SF Bloodstock LLC (IRE); T-Aidan P. O'Brien.
$180,000.
Margins: NK, 3/4, 1. Odds: 73.20, 11.30, 18.00.
Also Ran: Ivar (Brz), Uni (GB), Halladay, Kameko, Factor This, Siskin, Raging Bull (Fr), Digital Age (Ire), Casa Creed, March to the Arch, Safe Voyage (Ire). Scratched: One Master (GB).
Click for the Equibase.com chart, the TJCIS.com PPs or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree. VIDEO, sponsored by Fasig-Tipton.
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