The famed colours of Australian owner Lloyd Williams
were carried to success in Ireland at Leopardstown on Saturday when three year-old
colt Buckhurst scored on debut.
A son of Galileo's Epsom Derby winning son Australia, he finished strongly
under Donnacha O'Brien to land the maiden event over one mile.
Buckhurst is trained by Joseph O'Brien, who also won a Melbourne Cup for
Williams with Rekindling.
"He's a very nice horse," Joseph O'Brien said. "I was a little bit surprised
that he won at a mile first time, off a slow pace.
"Donnacha was very happy with him.
"I'd imagine we'll probably step into a Derby trial now and go from there. I
was very impressed. with him."
Purchased for 70,000 guineas from the Tattersalls October Yearling Sale, Buckhurst
is certainly bred to be a quality horse as he is a half-brother to
stakes-winner Duplicity from Green Desert mare Artful, a daughter of French
2000m stakes-winner Gold Dodger.
This is the family of dual Group I winner and Co-Champion 3YO Miler The Ghurka
and also Kiwi bred three year-old Arrongantlym who was second in the recent
Group I ATC Rosehill Guineas.
Buckhurst was the first leg of a winning double a Leopardstown for Australia,
who also sired Broome to win the Group III Ballysax Stakes. His oldest progeny
are just three year-olds.