Magical headlining powerful Champions Day team for O’Brien

Ashley Iveson
October 13, 2020 4:45 pm

Multiple Group One-winning mare has had Ascot as the target since Irish Champion Stakes.

Last year’s winner Magical could be joined by stable companions Japan and Serpentine as Aidan O’Brien considers a three-pronged assault on the Qipco Champion Stakes at Ascot.

The Ballydoyle trainer has saddled eight previous winners on Qipco British Champions Day, and looks set to send another formidable squad across the Irish Sea this weekend, for what will be the 10th anniversary of the showpiece meeting.

While Magical has long been pencilled in for a return to Ascot, several big names who might not have been bound for Berkshire are now in the mix due to the well-documented problem surrounding contaminated feed which prompted O’Brien to withdraw all his runners on Arc day in Paris.

O’Brien admits a late change of big-race target is not ideal, but ParisLongchamp’s loss looks set to be Ascot’s gain.

Aidan O'Brien will be well represented at Ascot — Aidan O’Brien will be well represented at Ascot (Mike Egerton/PA)

“We had to think hard about what we did with the horses that were due to go to France as for a long time their preparation had been geared around Arc weekend and when you carry on for another two weeks it’s not always ideal,” said O’Brien.

“It can be tricky to keep the momentum going. We were looking forward to Arc weekend and the horses were training really well for it for a long time, but that’s the way it was and the way it was meant to be and we just accepted it and moved on.

“Next year will be another year. We changed the route with them and we’ll see what will happen, but they seem to be in good form.”

Japan and Derby Serpentine were both considered leading contenders for the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe itself, but are now possibles to line up alongside Magical, with alternative options running out.

However, O’Brien’s other Champion Stakes entrant, Mogul, is set to miss out.

Japan (near side) could take on stablemate Magical (Nigel French/PA)

O’Brien said: “Japan is a strong possible and this has been the target for Magical since Leopardstown. Mogul is not a definite because he could go straight to the Breeders’ Cup Turf.

“The lads have to decide what they want to do with Serpentine. We were really looking forward to the Arc with him and his prep for that was very good – we felt he had moved up plenty from his prep run and done very well physically.

“He has to run somewhere shortly, either that or we have to back off him altogether. The options for him after Saturday are the Breeders’ Cup, the Japan Cup and the races in Hong Kong.

“We’re very happy with him at home at the moment and if he runs on Saturday it will be interesting.”

Magical looked set for retirement after striking gold 12 months ago, but a change of heart to keep her in training as a five-year-old has reaped rich rewards.

Following successive Group One triumphs at the Curragh, the ultra-consistent Galileo mare chased home Ghaiyyath in the Juddmonte International at York before successfully defending her crown in the Irish Champion Stakes at Leopardstown.

Her top-level tally stands at seven – and she may well have been into double figures already had she not bumped into the recently-retired Enable on several occasions.

“Enable has been a great filly and obviously herself and Magical know each other well – they’ve had some great races together,” said O’Brien.

Aidan O'Brien with Magical — Aidan O’Brien with Magical (Healy Racing/PA)

“Enable is a year older than Magical and we were delighted that the lads decided to keep Magical in training this year.

“She’s in good form and loved this race last year, so we’re looking forward to running her.”

Asked about plans beyond Saturday for Magical, O’Brien added: “I wouldn’t be sure about next year, because we were delighted to have her this year.

“It will be whatever the lads decide, but I imagine if everything was well with her she could go to the Breeders’ Cup.”

CIRCUS MAXIMUS wins a thriller @Ascot to land the Queen Anne Stakes from Terebellum.pic.twitter.com/9vRwzYZwE3
— Champions Series (@ChampionsSeries) June 16, 2020

The main supporting race is the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes, in which O’Brien’s chief contender will be the admirable Circus Maximus.

The tough-as-teak six-year-old has significant ground to make up on John Gosden’s hot favourite Palace Pier on their meeting at Deauville this summer, but O’Brien hopes a return to Ascot – where he has won twice before – will help Circus Maximus close the gap.

O’Brien said: “We’ve always been delighted with Circus Maximus. He’s very tough and very consistent and seems to dance every dance.

“He’s a very competitive horse who loves it when horses challenge him – he’s tough and hardened and loves to get into a battle.”

Sovereign is set for a step up in trip (PA)

The trainer confirmed Royal Dornoch as a “strong possible” to join Circus Maximus, while a decision on whether Lancaster House will also line up will be made later in the week.

O’Brien declared his intentions to saddle Arc contender Sovereign, Broome and Dawn Patrol in the British Champions Long Distance Cup, while Lope Y Fernandez is a likely contender for the British Champions Sprint, having missed the Prix de la Foret on Arc Weekend.

While keen to stress all plans are subject to change, O’Brien is favouring running Passion over Laburnum in the British Champions Fillies & Mares Stakes.

He is also set to be represented in the concluding Balmoral Handicap by recent Listed winner Keats.