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Magical performance to win Irish Champion

3 minute read

Magical has proved a class above her rivals with a decisive victory in the Irish Champion Stakes at Leopardstown.

MAGICAL
MAGICAL Picture: (Charlie Crowhurst/Getty Images)

Magical  has claimed a third Group One success in the Irish Champion Stakes at Leopardstown to give trainer Aidan O'Brien an eighth win in the race.

The mare has spent much of her admirable career chasing the brilliant Enable  at the top level and could take her on again in next month's Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe.

The 11-10 favourite had a dream passage under Ryan Moore to beat stablemate Magic Wand by 2-1/4 lengths with Derby winner Anthony Van Dyck another head third.

Japan's Deirdre was the unlucky horse in the race, trapped for racing room when the pace quickened before finishing fourth.

Magical has been cut from 14-1 to 6-1 for the Arc.

"We were delighted," O'Brien said.

"She had a midsummer break and her first run back was in York. She ran Enable to a couple of lengths and we knew she was going to come forward a good bit.

""She was just ready to go to York. Obviously Enable is a great filly and when we saw her running that well against her we were looking forward to this race and the autumn after that.

"We knew she was going to be in real good shape for today and I couldn't have been happier with her.

"The plan was to go to the Arc from here, but usually what happens is we see how they come out of it, talk to the lads and they see if they stay on the programme or go a different way.

"It's something great to have to think about."

The trainer said Magic Wand was likely to travel overseas.

"She's a lovely filly as well," he said.

"She can do the likes of Hong Kong and all those places. She loves fast ground and anywhere from a mile to a mile and a half.

"She's very versatile."

Leopardstown

Saturday, 14th September 2019

5
16:15
(local)

QIPCO Irish Champion Stakes (Group 1) (G1)

Age: 3yo and up WT: 127lbs Type: OPEN
EUR €1,250,000
1m2f TURF GOOD
5
16:15
(local)
EUR €1,250,000
1m2f GOOD

QIPCO Irish Champion Stakes (Group 1) (G1)

Age: 3yo and up WT: 127lbs Type: OPEN


FP Silk Horse, Age & Sex
Sire & Dam
Jockey
Trainer
SP
WT
1st 5. MAGICAL (IRE) 4yo F
GALILEO (IRE) - HALFWAY TO HEAVEN (IRE)
RYAN MOORE
AIDAN O'BRIEN
$2.1
130lbs
Derrick Smith, Mrs John Magnier & Michael Tabor
2nd 4. MAGIC WAND (IRE) 4yo F
GALILEO (IRE) - PRUDENZIA (IRE)
SEAMIE HEFFERNAN
AIDAN O'BRIEN
$21
130lbs
M Tabor, D Smith & Mrs J Magnier

Sales Information

3rd 6. ANTHONY VAN DYCK (IRE) 3yo C
GALILEO (IRE) - BELIEVE'N'SUCCEED (AUS)
WAYNE LORDAN
AIDAN O'BRIEN
$13
127lbs
Mrs J Magnier, M Tabor & D Smith
4th 3. DEIRDRE (JPN) 5yo M
HARBINGER (GB) - REIZEND (JPN)
OISIN MURPHY
M HASHIDA
$12
130lbs
5th 7. HEADMAN (GB) 3yo C
KINGMAN (GB) - DELIBERATE (GB)
JASON WATSON
R CHARLTON
$6.5
127lbs
6th 8. MADHMOON (IRE) 3yo C
DAWN APPROACH (IRE) - AARAAS (GB)
CHRIS HAYES
KEVIN PRENDERGAST
$6
127lbs
7th 1. ELARQAM (GB) 4yo H
FRANKEL (GB) - ATTRACTION (GB)
JIM CROWLEY
M JOHNSTON
$6
133lbs

Sales Information

8th 2. HUNTING HORN (IRE) 4yo H
CAMELOT (GB) - MORA BAI (IRE)
E J MCNAMARA
AIDAN O'BRIEN
$67
133lbs

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