Magical Sets Aim at Sistercharlie in Breeders’ Cup After Champion Stakes Win

ASCOT, BERKSHIRE, ENGLAND – Aidan O’Brien described Magical as “the ultimate racehorse” following a smooth performance to justify Even-money favoritism in the £1,358,750 G1 QIPCO Champion Stakes at Ascot.

Just 13 days on from a fifth-placed effort in the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe, Magical, a four-year-old daughter of Galileo, travelled powerfully throughout today’s 10-furlong contest and ran on strongly to score by three-quarters of a length, defeating the staying-on Addeybb (5/1).

This was Magical’s fourth G1 victory and took her career earnings over £3.36 million. She might not be finished this season either, with a potential tilt at the Breeders’ Cup in the offing according to the master of Ballydoyle.

O’Brien said: “Magical is an unbelievable mare. From the start of her career as a two-year-old, every time she races, she turns out.

“Every morning she wakes up with a total clean sheet, she never holds offense to nobody even if they upset her the day before. She just takes it on the chin and asks ‘what do you want me to do today?'”

“Magical is the most unbelievable mare I have ever seen. Her mind is incredible. She gets a mile and a half, but I think a mile and a quarter is her ideal trip. She gets a mile and a half because of her class.

“The Arc was a strongly-run race and she has come out that and won here. She handles ease in the ground, goes on fast ground – what can you say?

“She is the ultimate racehorse – that is what she is.

“It’s hard to say, but it looks like she is still progressing which is amazing.

“I don’t tell the lads anything ever – I learnt that a long time ago! They will decide what they want to do. She is sound mentally and physically. We now have to decide if we go to the Breeders’ Cup with her.

“If she goes to the Breeders’ Cup, I would imagine that she would run in the Fillies & Mares race. [The Maker’s Mark Filly & Mare Turf ran at 1 1/4 miles expected to feature Chad Brown’s Sistercharlie (IRE)]

“It would be unbelievable if she stayed in training – she would only be delighted to!”