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Patrick McCann
“title =” Seamie Heffernan and Magical rise after winning the Irish Champion Stakes for the second year in a row “class =” js-imageLoader “data-at-xn =” https://www.rp-assets.com/images/ news / 2020/09/12/82504-medium.jpeg “data-br-n =” https://www.rp-assets.com/images/news/2020/09/12/82504-medium.jpeg “data -br-m = “https://www.rp-assets.com/images/news/2020/09/12/82504-large.jpeg” data-br-w = “https: //www.rp-assets .com / images / news / 2020/09/12/82504-large.jpeg “data-br-xw =” https://www.rp-assets.com/images/news/2020/09/12/82504- large.jpeg “onclick =” return false; “>
By David Jennings
There is something mythical about Magical. He really shouldn’t have been here at all and somewhere in a parallel universe he’s waiting to greet his first colt with No Nay Never, looking back on a race that was tainted by Enable.
Instead, here he was beating the best horse in the world and emulating Dylan Thomas by winning the Irish Champion Stakes twice. Only two horses have accomplished that feat. It was the twelfth victory of his career, the seventh at the Group 1 level, and it was achieved in a typically tenacious manner.
We would have been deprived of the season’s race if she had retired. This, it could be argued, marks her as the best mare Aidan O’Brien has ever trained, although Love might have a say in that next month.
It was tactically absorbing and you couldn’t take your eyes off him. The beginning; to see if something would stand up to Ghaiyyath. The middle section; to see if something would try to jump in early and upset the flow of the favorite. The end; to see if the world’s highest rated horse had the stomach for a forceful battle.
In fairness to Ghaiyyath, he did not lie down. You see, the problem was, he was up against the toughest mare in training and she wouldn’t back down. She set her sights on the all-odds favorite and this time she was in top physical condition, unlike York, where O’Brien admitted that she had left a bit to work. She was too tough, too willing, too good.
“She’s tough, genuine, determined, she’s got speed, she’s got it all. I’m over the moon and Seamus gave her a brilliant ride,” O’Brien said after winning the race for the ninth time.
The teacher trainer continued: “We were very happy after York, we saw what she could do. When she went to York alone, she just lost interest and when the others surrounded her, she started to stay after the race finished.
“What she always wants is to look at a horse and fight. Seamus was happy to run today if William [Buick, on Ghaiyyath] she wanted to get a lead and if William was going to continue, Seamus would go with him to keep her interested. He gave her a brilliant ride.
“She is a serious mare when you fight her. When you really fight her, is when you really see what she can do as you saw her today.
“I guess we’re learning about her all the time. If you walk away from her, she gets a little lazy, but if you fight her, very few will look at her. That’s what she did, she looked at the colt the whole time.”
Reflecting on the breeding change. O’Brien added: “The guys made the call and all the credit to them for doing it. She was booked to go to No Nay Never and we were so delighted they decided to give her another chance. They said hopefully No Nay will never be there. next year and I hope she is too. She is an amazing mare. “
Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/photos)
“title =” Magic battles (white cap) against Ghaiyyath to win in Leopardstown “class =” js-imageLoader “data-at-xn =” https://www.rp-assets.com/images/news/2020/09 /12/82503-medium.jpeg “data-br-n =” https://www.rp-assets.com/images/news/2020/09/12/82503-medium.jpeg “data-br-m = “https://www.rp-assets.com/images/news/2020/09/12/82503-large.jpeg” data-br-w = “https://www.rp-assets.com/images/ news / 2020/09/12/82503-large.jpeg “data-br-xw =” https://www.rp-assets.com/images/news/2020/09/12/82503-large.jpeg “onclick = “return false;”>
You suspect Heffernan was secretly excited that Ryan Moore was in Japan instead of Magical. He seized the opportunity with both hands to win the Irish Champion Stakes for the third time. This one, as you feel, must have given him the most pleasure.
Heffernan said: “When there is rhythm on the best horses, the most genuine, they will fight to the end and that’s what happened today. I felt like I was a winner every step of the way. Once I landed on their girth, I knew I would win. I saw it [Ghaiyyath] Looking at her from the beginning, I knew we were there today. I knew we were serious.
“Some horses can let you down. You can see champions in the morning and then they let you down in the races. This filly has probably never given it all, but has still managed to win seven Group 1s. She is very healthy and willing to do all of them. the days. It’s very simple, big and honest. “
Magical has been beaten four times by Enable, but could have a chance to get lucky for the fifth time at the Arc, so Betfair and Paddy Power cut it to 8-1 from 20-1.
Buick could offer no excuses for Ghaiyyath, who had beaten Magical by three lengths at Juddmonte International. This time he had to settle for a three-quarter length loss. His rider felt that he was in the same rhythm as always.
Perhaps Ghaiyyath simply ran into a different Magician. This was one of those days where she just wasn’t going to take no for an answer and when she shows up in that kind of humor, it’s wonderful to see her.
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FIRST POST 4:22 PM, SEPTEMBER 12, 2020
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