Syndicator Australian Bloodstock has purchased Irish stayer Al Riffa in a high-powered Melbourne Cup move laced with global ambitions.
The sale of the last-start Group 2 Curragh Cup winner was confirmed on Wednesday with the six-year-old entire to remain under the watch of trainer Joseph O’Brien in Ireland.
Al Riffa will be trained for the Melbourne Cup via a lead-up run in the Irish St Leger and will arrive in Australia with the second shipment of overseas spring carnival contenders in October.
A son of Wootton Bassett, Al Riffa has raced in the US, England, Germany, France, Saudi Arabia and Ireland across his past eight starts.
His travelling days won’t stop in Australia with Australian Bloodstock revealing Japan Cup and Hong Kong Vase plans later this year.
The syndicator’s Al Riffa deal follows the acquisition of German stayer Augustus, a last-start Group 2 winner who is also heading out for the Melbourne Cup.
Vauban, purchased after contesting last year’s Melbourne Cup, also has his sights on a Flemington return in November.
Australian Bloodstock’s colours have been worn to victory twice in the nation’s most famous race, with Protectionist winning in 2014 and Gold Trip in 2022.
