Australian Bloodstock have bought world-class stayer Al Riffa, winner of the Group 2 Curragh Cup at his most recent start.
The six-year-old entire will remain in the care of Irish trainer Joseph O’Brien, who has twice won the Cup with Rekindling (2017) and Twilight Payment (2020). Al Riffa will travel to Australia on the second quarantine shipment in October.
🇦🇺 BREAKING: Australian Bloodstock have bought AL RIFFA for a large some of money: 🤩
The 5YO son of Wootton Bassett will stay in training with Joseph O’Brien in Kilkenny.
He’ll be targeted at the MELBOURNE CUP along with the Japan Cup 🇯🇵 Dubai & Saudi.pic.twitter.com/VIvNwsjzT1
— Stephen R Power (@racingblogger) August 26, 2025
The purchase comes just months after the syndicate secured Irish stayer Vauban, a current Cup favourite now with Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott. Following confirmation of the deal, Al Riffa firmed in betting from $15 into $11, joining Vauban on the second line of Melbourne Cup markets.
Australian Bloodstock director Jamie Lovett said the son of Wootton Bassett had all the qualities of a global campaigner. “He’s a Group 1-profile horse who has raced in the US, England, Germany, France, Saudi Arabia and Ireland across his past eight starts,” Lovett explained. “For our connections, the appeal was having a horse who can race on the world stage.”
Al Riffa will contest the Irish St Leger on September 14 before entering quarantine at Ballydoyle. Longer term, Lovett indicated the stayer could also be aimed at Hong Kong, Dubai and potentially Royal Ascot next year.
“There’s a really good vibe about the Melbourne Cup at the moment,” Lovett said. “This far out, I think it’s going to be a very high-quality race.”
