Outsider Order Of Australia leads home 1-2-3 for Aidan O'Brien in Mile

Aidan O'Brien's prowess in big races around the globe was again in evidence at Keeneland on Saturday when Order Of Australia was a shock winner of the Breeders' Cup Mile, leading home better-fancied stablemates Circus Maximus and Lope Y Fernandez.

O'Brien had never won the Mile, but put that right in spectacular fashion with the three-year-old, who made the field only when the William Haggas-trained One Master was ruled out.

The son of Australia, who returned at 73-1 Stateside, finished fourth in the Irish Derby and also won over that 1m4f trip at the Curragh in September.

However, he had the pace to drop back in trip to head a historic achievement for the world-leading trainer.

There was also some fortune about the winning rider as Pierre-Charles Boudot only got the mount following the positive Covid-19 test of Christophe Soumillon.

Boudot had earlier benefited in the same way from Ioritz Mendizabal's bad luck to win the Filly & Mare Turf on the James Fanshawe-trained Audarya.

"Aidan told me before the race that he was a special horse for the mile and he was confident of a good run on a small track," he said.

"He did very well and the trip was perfect. The draw in 14 was difficult, but I took a nice place behind the leaders and he had a nice turn of foot."

It was a 13th Breeders' Cup winner for O'Brien, the master of Ballydoyle whose unrelated predecessor Vincent O'Brien famously won the Mile with the Lester Piggott-ridden Royal Academy in 1990.

O'Brien stayed at home Ireland, but Pat Keating, a vital part of the operation when it comes to travelling horses, was on track in Kentucky.

"It's a real team effort and it starts with Aidan and Mr [John] Magnier, Mr [Derrick] Smith and Mr [Michael ] Tabor," he said. "It's remarkable to have the first three home. They are good horses, had good jockeys and good people are involved all the way so it's for everybody."

Despite his hitherto lack of recognition, Order Of Australia has the pedigree to be good and was bred by O'Brien's wife Annemarie out of Senta's Dream, making him a half-brother to Iridessa, who landed the Filly & Mare Turf 12 months ago for Joseph O'Brien.

Runners break for the Breeders' Cup Mile won by Order Of AustraliaCredit: Scott Serio

The winning trainer, who won a hat-trick of Champion Hurdles with the irresistible Istabraq, has become known for making the extraordinary look positively run-of-the-mill during his phenomenal career, which yielded a 1-2-3 in the 2016 Arc with Found, Highland Reel and Order Of St George.

He has also had clean sweeps in the Irish Derby, 1,000 Guineas, Irish Champion Stakes and Galway Plate.

No trainer has won more top-flight races than the perennial Irish champion, who is the only man to win the Derby three times in a row.

There was little for the connections of 2,000 Guineas winner Kameko to cheer on his final start before being retired to stud as the Andrew Balding-trained colt faded into seventh, two places ahead of the Irish 2,000 Guineas winner Siskin, who never got on terms with the leaders. The John Quinn-trained Safe Voyage was hampered and finished last of the 14 runners.

Breeders' Cup Mile result

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