Magical had a date with No Nay Never postponed at the start of the year and what a decision that has been – after opening with a pair of Group 1 wins at the Curragh, the daughter of Galileo was beaten by Ghaiyyath in the Juddmonte International at York but she turned that around in Saturday’s Group 1 Irish Champion Stakes at Leopardstown.
Ridden by Seamie Heffernan for trainer Aidan O’Brien, Magical never let the all-conquering son of Dubawi too far from her sights, wearing him down in the closing stages to win by three-quarters of a length with Armory (Galieo) one and a quarter lengths back in third.
It was an indication of the domination of Galileo in Europe that all six of the runners had the blood of the Coolmore marvel in their veins.
O’Brien said he was thrilled when the decision was made to keep Magical in training for another year.
“The lads made the call and all credit to them for doing it,” O’Brien told Irishracing.com.
“She was booked to go to No Nay Never and we were just so delighted that they decided to give her another go. They said that hopefully No Nay Never will be there next year and hopefully she will be as well. She's an amazing mare.
“We were very happy after York, we saw what she was able to do. When she went by herself in York she just lost interest a little bit and then the others came around her and she started staying on after the race was over.
“What she always wants is to eyeball a horse and battle. Seamus (Heffernan) was happy to make the running today if William wanted to get a lead and if William (Buick, on Ghaiyyath) was going to go on Seamus was going to go with him to keep her interested and he gave her a brilliant ride.
“She's one serious mare when you get into a battle with her and when you really get into a battle with her that's when you really see what she can do as you saw there today."
“It's a massive race. Of all the European races, prestige-wise, this is one of the top if not the top because on ratings over a 10-year period this nearly comes out on top of all the races.
“Every year all the high-rated horses turn up here. It has a perfect place in the calendar, perfect ground, perfect distance.”
“She has the choice of the Arc or the fillies' race on the same day. It will depend on what the lads want to do with Love.
“The Breeders' Cup could also suit her really well.”
It was the 12th win and seventh Group 1 for Magical who has also been runner-up six times at the highest level in a brilliant 25-start career.
The daughter of Galileo is breeding royalty being a sister to the triple Group 1 winner Rhododendron and the Group III winner Flying The Flag out of the top class Pivotal mare Halfway To Heaven whose four wins included the Irish One Thousand Guineas, Sun Chariot Stakes and Nassau Stakes.
