Coolmore Australia principal Tom Magnier is the son of John Magnier Irish business magnate and leading thoroughbred owner and breeder. With parents like John & Susan Magnier and a grandfather like the legendary Irish trainer Vincent O'Brien, he was always meant to have a horseman's heart. Magnier has the responsibility of managing an expansive portfolio of expensive bloodstock and racehorses in Australia.
He has also taken on the responsibility of managing Coolmore's Everest slot. The Everest Diaries talks to the man who is incredibly hard to get a hold of, and one has achieved something no-one else has, to have a Multi-Group One winning international horse owned Coolmore racing in the Coolmore slot. The US Navy Flag Flies High In Australia
Q: Which race would you consider his best till date?
A: He is a triple Gr.1 winner with plenty of high-class form to his name, but I think his most recent outing, when winning the Gr.1 July Cup, was his most significant performance yet. It is always a huge challenge for a three-year-old to take on older sprinters at weight for age, but to win in the manner he did, defeating 6 individual Gr.1 winners, was a great illustration of his class.
Q: What are pre and post Everest plans for US Navy Flag?
A: As I speak he is in quarantine preparing for his trip to Australia and is scheduled to arrive at Canterbury on September 21st. His preparation is going well and Aidan seems very happy with him. His programme after The Everest will depend on how things work out at Randwick. He has already proven himself an outstanding horse, but given his last start was arguably a career-best, he still seems to be improving.
Q: US Navy Flag has never raced in Australia. Do you think he can be affected by the slightly uphill track at Randwick and the weather conditions on the day?
A: What are the steps planned to acclimatise him? He is a very versatile horse that has raced with distinction in a number of different countries already, so we are hopeful that he will readily adjust to Australian conditions, just as he those in the other countries that he has raced. 6 furlongs around a bend is something that he has not faced before, although he is a horse with He is a dual Gr.1winner at Newmarket, one of the most undulating tracks in the world, so the track at Randwick is one that we expect him to be able to adapt to.
Q: Now that most of the field is known, are there any concerns about any of the other contenders ?
A: It is a hugely competitive race and all the runners are there on merit, so all are major contenders.
Q: Which would be the greatest sprint race you have witnessed and why?
A: Two races that spring most readily to mind are Starspangledbanner's win in the Gr.1 Golden Jubilee Stakes at Royal Ascot in 2010 and Merchant Navy's win in the Gr.1 Diamond Jubilee Stakes, also at Royal Ascot, earlier this year. The former's performance to make-all and beat 23 rivals was incredible. From memory, over half of the field had won at least 1Gr.1.In the case of MerchantNavy, hewenttoRoyalAscot as a very young horse and beat are at the field in the brilliant fashion.
Q: Given the options available to Coolmore as such a large racing and breeding operation what were the qualities which put sprinter US Navy Flag at the top of the list for your Everest slot?
A: On the form, he is one of the best sprinters in the world. We had some other options from our team in Ireland as well as the team in Australia,butitwashardtolookpastUSNavyFlag, especially after his dominant win in the July Cup. That was one of the best performances by as printer anywhere in the world this year.