Buckhurst Becomes The Latest Stakes Winner By Australia

The progressive Buckhurst (3c Australia - Artful, by Green Desert) gained a maiden black-type success when taking the Group 3 International Stakes on Irish Derby day.

Successful first time out in April, he was last seen finishing a close second over course and distance in the Group 3 Gallinule Stakes. Wayne Lordan took the ride, settling the bay behind the leaders and produced a challenge a furlong and a half from home. Soon leading, he stayed on to justify favoritism by a length and a half, as Blenheim Palace (Galileo) took second.

Buckhurst completed a Stakes double on the card for Joseph O’Brien, who commented after the race, “Buckhurst is a lovely horse. Every run this season he has taken a step forward and progressed. He's an exciting colt for the rest of this year and again for next year.”

Buckhurst also continues a fruitful relationship between O’Brien and owner Lloyd Williams, who won last year’s Irish Derby with Latrobe (Camelot). Their latest star was bred by Denford Stud and was bought by his trainer for 70,000gns at the Tattersalls Book 1 Yearling Sale.

A half-brother to Listed winner Duplicity, he is out of a half-sister to Group 3 winner Chintz, also known as the dam of dual Group 1 winner The Gurkha (Galileo).