Magical holds on in Champion Stakes; Breeders' Cup Filly and Mare Turf may be next

Magical, a game second in the 2018 Breeders’ Cup Turf at Churchill Downs, held off a sustained rally from Addeybb to win her fourth Group 1 stakes in Saturday’s $1.76 million Champion Stakes at Royal Ascot in England.

Fifth in the Group 1 Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe at Longchamp Racecourse on Oct. 6 in Paris, Magical was always prominent in the Champion Stakes at 1 1/4 miles on a soft turf course. Ridden by Donnacha O’Brien for his father, Aidan, Magical (even-money) stalked pacesetter Regal Reality (16-1) for the first mile before taking the lead in early stretch.

Addeybb (5-1) closed well from a stalking position to get within a half-length of Magical, but could not catch the leader, missing by three-quarters of a length. Deirdre (10-1) finished third in the field of nine, beaten three lengths.

Aidan O’Brien said after the Champion Stakes that Magical will be considered for the BC Filly and Mare Turf on Nov. 2 at Santa Anita.

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“She is the ultimate racehorse – that is what she is,” he said. “It’s hard to say, but it looks like she is still progressing, which is amazing.

“She is sound mentally and physically. We now have to decide if we go to the Breeders’ Cup with her.”

Pre-entries for the Breeders’ Cup are due Monday.

Owned by the Coolmore syndicate, Magical, a 4-year-old filly by Galileo, has won 9 of 21 starts. The Champion Stakes was the richest win of her career and her seventh group stakes win. Earlier this year, Magical won the Group 1 Tattersalls Gold Cup at The Curragh in May and the Group 1 Irish Champion Stakes at Leopardstown on Sept. 14.

In 2018, Magical had a busy autumn campaign. She was 10th in the Arc de Triomphe on Oct. 7, won the Group 1 British Champions Fillies and Mares Stakes at Ascot on Oct.20, and was second by three-quarters of a length to 2018 Arc winner Enable in the BC Turf.