West Australian was a British Champion thoroughbred racehorse and sire, who was the first ever English Triple Crown Champion.
Widely regarded as one of the greatest racehorses of the nineteenth century, during his three-year racing career West Australian won nine out of his ten races including three British Classic races and the Ascot Gold Cup.
He was foaled in 1850 by Melbourne who had an impressive pedigree and sired seven classic winners. Bred by John Bowes of Streatlam Castle, Country Durham, he was trained by John Scott at his Whitewall stables in Malton, Yorkshire.
Scott spotted his talent early and as a colt West Australian made his debut in 1852 at Newmarket in the Criterion Stakes. Despite being beaten by Speed-the-Plough, a few days later he won the Glasgow Stakes by two lengths.
He went on to win his eight remaining races and as a three-year-old became the first horse to win the three most important races – the 2,000 Guineas, the Derby and the St. Leger Stakes – all in one season. The Triple Crown term wasn’t used until later, but West Australian is recognized as the first ever winner.
He ended his three-year-old season as the leading English money-winner with earnings of £10,950 and, after being sold to Lord Londesborough, went on to win the Ascot Gold Cup in his four-year-old season.
After retiring from racing West Australian had a successful career as a stud first at Kirby and then at the Haras de Viroflay near Paris. He sired The Oaks winner, Summerside, 2,000 Guineas winner, The Wizard and Australian who sired Kentucky Derby winner Baden-Baden.