West Australian (horse)

West Australian
1853 painting by Harry Hall of West Australian with jockey up and trainer
SireMelbourne
GrandsireHumphrey Clinker
DamMowerina
DamsireTouchstone
SexStallion
Foaled1850
Died1870 (aged 19–20)
CountryUnited Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland
ColourBay
BreederJohn Bowes of Streatlam Castle
OwnerJohn Bowes
Albert Denison, 1st Baron Londesborough (age 4)
Duc de Morny
Emperor Napoleon III
TrainerJohn Scott
Record10: 9–1–0 (including 2 walkovers)[1]
Earnings£13,640
Major wins
2,000 Guineas (1853)
Epsom Derby (1853)
St. Leger Stakes (1853)
Grand Duke Michael Stakes (1853)
Ascot Gold Cup (1854)
Honours
1st English Triple Crown Champion
Last updated on 25 September 2010

West Australian (1850–1870) was a British Thoroughbred racehorse and sire. In a racing career which lasted from October 1852 until June 1854 he ran ten times and won nine races. After being beaten on his debut, he won all his remaining starts including the 2000 Guineas, The Derby the St Leger and the Ascot Gold Cup. He has been retrospectively recognised as the first Triple Crown winner. West Australian was regarded by contemporary experts as one of the best British horses of the nineteenth century. After his retirement from racing he had some success as a sire of winners in England and France and was largely responsible for the survival of the Godolphin Arabian sire-line.