Joseph O'Brien sets sights on global campaign for Cox Plate hero State Of Rest

Joseph O'Brien is plotting another major globetrotting campaign for Cox Plate hero State Of Rest, who is set to return to Australia this season after an ownership deal was struck with New South Wales-based Newgate Stud Farm.

A lofty mark of 120 makes State Of Rest the highest-rated horse in Ireland heading into the 2022 turf season. He also pulled off an ambitious American raid in the Grade 1 Saratoga Derby Invitational last August.

Speaking at a press event at his Owning Hill base on Wednesday, O'Brien revealed his stable star could return in the Group 1 Prix Ganay at Longchamp on May 1 or head to the Curragh a day later for the Group 2 Mooresbridge Stakes.

A tilt at the Group 1 Tattersalls Gold Cup, which O'Brien won as a jockey aboard two-time Cox Plate scorer So You Think in 2012, is likely to follow.

"Hopefully he's our flagship horse for the season," said O'Brien.

"We'll see what the ground is like in terms of where he might start back. The Tattersalls Gold Cup [on May 22] will probably be his first big target of the season."

He added: "If he happens to win or be competitive in Group 1s early in the season, the pattern of his season almost makes its own way through the year. Maybe you wouldn't go to them all, but there are options at Sandown, Ascot and York. He also has American options.

"He'll run for the State Of Rest partnership this year and is now owned by Newgate Stud Farm and partners. That would mean it's likely he'll end up in Australia again towards the end of the season, all going well."

State Of Rest: likely to return to Australia in the autumnCredit: Getty Images

Asked whether the high-class four-year-old might be somewhat underrated having scored his biggest wins overseas, O'Brien said: "I think it's fair to say that. The form of his win in the Cox Plate has been franked since, with the runner-up Anamoe winning the Rosehill Guineas by six and a half lengths this month."

Having started the new Irish turf season with a bang last weekend when landing a 7f maiden at the Curragh with Perfect Thunder, O'Brien will attempt to keep the ball rolling into Leopardstown's Classic trials on Saturday.

Agartha, Seisai and Pennine Hills are on track for the Group 3 Ballylinch Stud 'Priory Belle' 1,000 Guineas Trial Stakes, while promising colts Buckaroo and Swan Bay are possible candidates for the Group 3 PW McGrath Memorial Ballysax Stakes.

On Qatar Racing's Buckaroo, who is ranked by O'Brien among the best of his Derby candidates, the trainer said: "He'll go down the Derby path and we'll see what happens.

Buckaroo: imposing colt got the better of Stone Age in a Galway maiden last yearCredit: Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/photos)

"He got himself in a bit of trouble on both of his last two starts by being a bit lackadaisical early in the race. It was a messy race last time in the Criterium de Saint-Cloud when he was towards the back before staying on well for fourth.

"Hopefully maturity will help him so that he can break better this year to help him along in a good position."

O'Brien is heading into the season with arguably his strongest Flat team yet, but which three-year-old would he take from his father Aidan's Ballydoyle string if offered the chance?

"I think Luxembourg is the one," said the 28-year-old. "He looked the real deal last season."

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