Western Australia Proves Stamina In Yeats Stakes

A significant step up in trip saw Western Australia (3c Australia - What A Treasure, by Cadeaux Genereux) gain his first black-type success in Saturday’s Listed Yeats Stakes at Navan.

Group 1 placed over a mile as a two-year-old, the Aidan O’Brien-trained colt ran over nine furlongs last time out, while Saturday’s start came over a mile and five furlongs. Ridden to track the leader Pythion, the chesnut was pushed along by Donnacha O’Brien to dispute from two out, leading narrowly entering the final furlong and was ridden out to score by a length and a half.

Donnacha O’Brien later commented on the winner, saying, “He did it well. He probably had the best form in the book and it was just a question of whether he stayed or not, he seemed to stay it out well. The Australias improve for a step up in trip, he stayed well himself and he seems to be passing that on.”

Owned by Coolmore partners, Western Australia was bought from breeder Pier House Stud for 260,000gns at Tattersalls as a yearling. A half-brother to Listed winner Hoarding, his dam is a full-sister to Group 1 Prix de la Foret victor Toylsome.