When high-profile syndicator Australian Bloodstock went searching for a top-level horse to take them around the world, there was one that stood out.

The only problem was that galloper, accomplished Irish stayer Al Riffa, came with a huge price tag.

“He was a fairly obvious horse to target,” said Jamie Lovett, the co-director of Australian Bloodstock.

“They made us pay for him, but he was certainly a horse that was easy to find.”

One of Australia’s premier syndicators since it was established by Lovett and Luke Murrell 20 years ago, Australian Bloodstock is famous for its success in big Group Ones with purchases from Europe.

The royal blue silks with a white horseshoe and black and white checked sleeves have been carried to victory in two Melbourne Cups – German stayer Protectionist in 2014 and Gold Trip in 2022 – as well as a Sydney Cup, VRC Derby and the German Oaks twice.

However, a desire to take owners to major race meetings around the world – not just Australia’s biggest race – led them to securing Al Riffa. Some reports suggested the deal was done for A$4 million (HK$20.7 million).

“Normally with our business they want to get one down here for the Melbourne Cup, but it was more getting a horse that could do this – the idea of going to the big international meetings,” Lovett said.

“Hopefully we go on to Dubai after Hong Kong and end up back at Royal Ascot. He was one of the very few horses that had the international rating and the form to be competitive in those races.”

Al Riffa burst on the scene with victory in the Group One Vincent O’Brien National Stakes (1,400m) as a two-year-old.

The following season, the Joseph O’Brien-trained colt won the Group Two Prix Guillaume D’Ornano (2,000m) at Deauville, but a virus ruled him out of a tilt at the Group One Irish 2,000 Guineas (1,600m).

Last term, Al Riffa flourished with a Group One Eclipse Stakes (2,000m) second to champion colt City Of Troy followed by a dominant Group One success in the Grosser Preis von Berlin (2,400m).

His upward spiral continued this year with a second to Rebel’s Romance in the Group Two Hardwicke Stakes (2,400m) at Royal Ascot and a big win in the Group Two Curragh Cup (2,800m) before he was bought by Australian Bloodstock.

His debut for his new owners was a successful one, claiming the Group One Irish St Leger (2,800m) en route to a tilt at the Melbourne Cup.

Set a monumental task with top weight in the 3,200m feature at Flemington, Al Riffa made good ground from back in the field to run seventh to Half Yours.

“I thought he went super,” Lovett said. “When we drew out [in gate 19], we always knew we were going to go back and take our medicine. If they didn’t go quick we were going to be out of play and that’s exactly what happened, they were hacking down the back.

“To come from second or third last and still get home to run seventh, you’re always disappointed not to win, but I wasn’t disappointed with the horse or the ride. It was just the circumstances.”

Al Riffa returned to O’Brien’s stables in Ireland and then made the trip to Hong Kong, with another shot at Group One glory on the agenda in Sunday’s Hong Kong Vase (2,400m) at Sha Tin.

“We’ve got a good group of owners going up and obviously having a horse like him, the plan was always to travel him, so we’re off to a flier – Ireland, Australia and now Hong Kong,” said Lovett.

“There’s about a dozen owners and a few offshoots that will all be heading up, so I think with partners and the like, it’s a group of about 25 or 26 heading up so it should be good.

“I’ve sold a few horses to Hong Kong but we’ve never been to the international meeting. It’s our first runner, so that’s another reason to be excited about it and I think he’s probably as good a horse as we’ve had. He’s certainly got the credentials to be competitive in the Vase. We’ll find out soon enough.”

Dylan Browne McMonagle, who has ridden Al Riffa in all his five victories, will be back on board the son of Wootton Bassett on Sunday.

O’Brien will bid to join his legendary father Aidan – a three-time winner of the Hong Kong Vase – on the honour roll.

Aidan O’Brien will be represented by Group One-winning colt Los Angeles in the HK$26 million staying contest.