Bred in Durham by John Bowes of Streatlam Castle from his home-bred mare Mowerina (b f 1843 Touchstone), who had finished second in the One Thousand Guineas Stakes in 1846. She was said to be named after a farm that Mr Bowes owned in Australia. West Australian was a full brother to three winners: North Derby winner Marley Hill (bl c 1851), Yorkshire Oaks winner and Oaks 3rd Victoria (b f 1853), and Nassau Stakes winner Go-Ahead (br f 1855). He was also a half brother to The Old Orange Girl (b f 1860 Kingston) winner of the Zetland Biennial Stakes and thrice winner of the Bentinck Memorial Stakes, Baragah (ch c 1861 Stockwell) winner of Ascot Biennial Stakes and twice winner of the Bentinck Memorial Stakes, and Ebor Handicap and Great Northern St Leger winner Westwick (b c 1863 Stockwell).

Trained by John Scott and affectionately called "The West" by his jockey Frank Butler he won nine of ten starts, including the Two Thousand Guineas Stakes, the Derby Stakes and the St Leger Stakes and has the distinction of being the very first triple crown winner. He was sold in 1854 for 5000 guineas to Lord Londesborough for whom he won the Ascot Gold Cup. The latter race was considered the fastest ever run for the Cup and many, it was said, thought him to be the best racehorse of the century at the time.

He covered at Kirkby, near Tadcaster, for a fee of 30 guineas along with Stockwell, prior to his export to France. In England he had moderate success in the stud getting the Oaks winner Summerside (br f 1856) and the Two Thousand Guineas winner The Wizard (b c 1857). He was later sold for 4000 guineas to the Duc de Morny and sent to France.

West Australian died in 1870.