Purchased in Europe, Buffalo River (USA) has found his niche in the competitive sprinter-miler ranks in Australia, where he earned a richly deserved maiden stakes success in Saturday's Group III Moonga Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield.
The son of Frankel's brother Noble Mission has paid his dues. He has placed in the Group 1 Toorak Hcp, Group II Blamey Stakes, Group II Sandown Stakes and Listed Weekend Hussler Stakes.
With Jye McNeil in the saddle, the Mike Moroney-trained 6yo gelding eased across to take up the running. He kept up a strong gallop in the straight to defeat King Magnus (Magnus) by three-quarters of a length, with Justacanta (Per Incanto) a further one and quarter lengths back in third.
Buffalo River (USA) advances his record to seven wins, six seconds, and three thirds from 21 starts, with earnings of $607,107.
Moroney said that the favoured soft track conditions influenced their decision to back him up just seven days after finishing second in the Weekend Hussler Stakes.
"We had a bit of a look at the forecast and decided we'd back him up even though we hadn't done it before," Moroney said.
"It fell into place, but it was a good tough win because I always look at the horses that take you on in front, and they all dropped out, and he boxed on really well.
"He had to do a bit of work getting across, but he has a high cruising speed and does put a lot of pressure on a long way from home. It is just about hanging on at the right time.
"He's done a nice job. He came here as a maiden, albeit running a couple of nice places before we got him. He's not overly big, but he's a real racehorse and tries hard."
Buffalo River (USA) made the shortlist of bloodstock agent Paul Moroney at the 2017 Keeneland September Yearling Sale.
He missed out that day, but not the second time around when Buffalo River (USA) was consigned to the 2018 Tattersalls Horse In Training Sale.
Moroney secured the John Gosden-trained colt for 180,000 guineas on behalf of his brother Mike Moroney.
He had a win and three placings from his four starts, including a third behind Godolphin's Royal Marine (Raven's Pass) at Doncaster. That colt won the Group 1 Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere at Longchamp at his next start.
Buffalo River (USA) comes from the first crop of Noble Mission, who won the Champion Stakes, Tattersalls Gold Cup and Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud.
His dam Fashion Insider (Indian Charlie) is a sister to the Grade II Super Derby winner My Pal Charlie and Grade III winner Bwana Charlie and a half-sister to Grade III winner Bwana Bull (Holy Bull).
Noble Mission becomes the eighth stakes-winner for Noble Mission, who relocated from Lane's End Farm, Kentucky, to stand the 2021 breeding season at Shizunai Stallion Station in Japan.
