Talented Son Of Australia Gains Deserved Group Win

Adelaide River (3c Australia - Could It Be Love, by War Front) gained a deserved Group win on his first start against older horses in Saturday’s Group 3 Paddy Power Stakes at Leopardstown.

The Aidan O’Brien-trained colt finished third in the Group 1 Criterium de Saint-Cloud on his final juvenile start and went one place closer in the Group 1 Irish Derby and Group 1 Grand Prix de Paris in July. Sent off favourite on Saturday, he was ridden to make all by Ryan Moore and was pushed along from two furlongs out. Ridden clear approaching the final furlong, he kept on strongly to deny multiple Group winner Al Aasy by half a length.

Speaking after the race, O’Brien said, “Adelaide River is a lovely, big horse and we always viewed him as a next year horse. We always thought he was kind of like Duke Of Marmalade, as he's after competing in big ones and getting very close in them but he's such a big horse that he's definitely going to have to be a way better horse next year.”

Owned by breeders Coolmore with Westerberg, Adelaide River is the first foal out of Irish 1,000 Guineas runner-up Could It Be Love, herself a half-sister to the top-class Uncle Mo. He kicked off a quickfire double on the card for his sire Australia, with Satin (3f Australia - Countryside, by Motivator) later making a successful step up in trip in the valuable Petingo Premier Handicap.

The Jessica Harrington-trained filly gained her third career success by two and a half lengths from the well-supported Comfort Zone (Churchill). Bred by Crimbourne Bloodstock, the progressive daughter of Australia carries the colours of Mrs S Kelly.

“She showed a great turn of foot,” Harrington commented after the race. “We thought a lot of her last year. We'll look for a stakes race and hopefully keep her in training next year. She'll be a lovely mile-and-six filly.”