A daughter of Galileo and a full sister to Bush Hill Stud’s Flying The Flag and multiple Gr1 winner Rhododendron, Magical landed a gamble to provide Aidan O’Brien with a remarkable 1-2-3 in in the QIPCO Gr1 Irish Champion Stakes at Leopardstown on day one of Longines Irish Champions Weekend on Saturday.
The well-backed favourite was perfectly positioned throughout under Ryan Moore to pounce coming into the straight and establish a race-winning move, though backers of Deirdre will wonder what might have happened had she enjoyed a clear run.
RTE reports that the first Japanese-trained horse to run in Ireland was caught in last place when the race developed and, pulled out by rider Oisin Murphy, flashed home to finish fourth.
However, the 11-10 favourite Magical still won readily by two and a quarter lengths.
Having finished second to Enable three times over the past 12 months, Magical has now won three Gr1’s, following in the footsteps of her full sister who was sent to Japan a few months back to be covered by Deep Impact.
A delighted Aidan O’Brien commented after the race, “She’s a very exciting filly. 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 program or go a different way. It’s something great to have to think about.”
Bred by Orpendale, Chelston and Wynatt, Magical was gaining her eighth career success overall, with seven of those coming at pattern level, and took her earnings past the €2.5 million mark for Coolmore partners.
Flying The Flag’s first crop are now 2yo’s and we look forward to them stepping on the tracks.
