Adelaide of the World
Not since Captain James Cook has anyone traversed the world as well as Adelaide. The bay colt with a small white star, three white stockings, and a knowing eye, made history today by becoming the first European trained horse to win the Cox Plate. Uncorking a relentless rally widest of all in the 14-horse field, Adelaide proved best in the wild sprint to the wire to score in Australia’s best weight-for-age race by a neck over local star Fawkner. In winning his biggest race yet, with the thrilling victory at Moonee Valley, the Aidan O’Brien trained colt is now a big winner on three different continents. Making all of this successful globetrotting more remarkable is that the son of Galileo has achieved all of this in only eight lifetime starts. Let’s take a look at the incredible journeys of Adelaide of the World…
October 13, 2013 - Making his career debut, and only start at two, the good looking young colt rallied strongly in the one-mile maiden affair, on the way to victory in a ten-horse field at Leopardstown in Ireland by 2 ½ lengths.
May 11, 2014 - Let the frequent flyer miles begin … In his seasonal debut, and second race of his career, Adelaide jumps up into top class racing with a Group 2 try at Longchamp in France. His first try in Paris did not end in victory, but the second place finish, beaten only a half-length in the Prix Hocquart was an excellent start to his sophomore season.
May 25, 2014 - Back in his native Ireland, Adelaide returned to his winning ways with an effortless score in the Group 3 Gallinule Stakes at The Curragh, while ridden for the first time by the trainer’s son, Joseph O’Brien.
June 20, 2014 - In his only race to date in England, Adelaide appeared at Royal Ascot for the Group 2 King Edward VII Stakes. In his first try at 12 furlongs, the Smith, Magnier, and Tabor owned runner made a nice wide rally, but came up short, finishing second behind the impressive Eagle Top.
July 5, 2014 - The United States got its first glimpse of Adelaide when he made the trip for the $1.25 Belmont Derby. Upset by the talented American, Mr Speaker, it looked like he was surprised by the Phipps runner shooting through on the inside. Once he had the new leader in his sights, Adelaide came running again, and just missed grabbing the win on the wire.
August 16, 2014 - For the first and only time in his career, Adelaide would run in the same country in consecutive starts, albeit far from home. His second start in the United States became his first Grade 1 victory as he powered home down the middle of the course at Arlington Park, to scoot away from a stubborn and talented Tourist in the Secretariat, under top English rider, Ryan Moore.
September 14, 2014 - Back in Europe, Adelaide made his second start in Paris in the Group 2 Prix Niel. The 1 ½ mile prep for the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe resulted in his worst finish ever. Still, finishing third, beaten 1 ½ lengths against one of the top three-year-olds in France, is hardly a performance in which to be ashamed.
October 25, 2014 - Finally we have arrived back to today. His wide, late-running trip, under Ryan Moore, is seldom done successfully in the Cox Plate, and beating an older group of the best in Australia while doing it, only goes to demonstrate the wonderful class of Adelaide.
Eight races, four wins, three seconds, and one third. Five countries, three continents, with a visit to the winner’s circle in each continent. It’s hard to put into words just how amazing a feat this is accomplished in the past five months by the lightly raced three-year-old. He’s single handedly made the world of racing a smaller place. I cannot wait to see what he does next.