News and STORIES

O'Brien's Filly Magical Set To Retire

Author: Clint Goodman
Published: Tuesday October 29, 2019
Aidan O'Brien confirmed recently that the filly Magical is set to retire after missing the Breeders' Cup due to running a temperature. O'Brien also confirmed that Fairyland did not leave for Santa Anita Park. She was looking to take a third top-level success in the Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint (G1T).

Magical has been impressive for Ballydoyle over the past few seasons, even though she was often overshadowed by Enable. The filly was victorious in four Group 1s, and her last was a win in the Oct. 19 QIPCO Champion Stakes (British Champions Middle Distance, G1). In that race, she was able to hold off Addeybb to score the win. 

Two weeks prior, Magical fell back to fifth in the Qatar Prix de I'Arc de Triomphe (G1). That was after she took the QIPCO Irish Champion Stakes (G1). 

Spiked Temperature

"Magical spiked a slight temperature this morning, so she hasn't traveled to America," O'Brien said Monday. "She worked this morning, and we were delighted with her, but we take their temperatures every day.

"She was due to leave at 9:30, and this happened at around 9:15, so our vet John Halley advised she shouldn't travel. John felt that if she was to go through quarantine, it could risk the whole thing being locked up because of it.

"Everything had been going well since Ascot, we were very happy with her, but it's just one of those things."

Magical came close to taking a group 1 win as a juvenile in the Moyglare Stud Stakes (G1), but she came up short to stablemate Happily. In her 3-year-old season, she faced an injury that put her out. 

Magical was not able to run in any of the showpiece events for her generation, but she did go on to take the QIPCO British Champions Fillies & Mares Stakes (G1) before facing off with Enable in the Longines Breeders' Cup Turf (G1T). 

"She got very close to Enable a couple of times, and we all felt she had moved up a gear again this year," O'Brien said. "She has been an unbelievable filly.

"She was so game, so consistent, and so classy. It has been a pleasure and a privilege to have anything to do with her."

When speaking about her best moments, O'Brien said, "The two Champion Stakes wins were great. She won the Irish race then ran in the Arc and did it in the race at Ascot, so they were special."

Fairlyland

Fairyland, the winner of last year's Juddmonte Cheveley Park Stakes (G1), fended off So Perfect in the Derrinstown Stud Flying Five Stakes (G1) at the Curragh on Irish Champions Weekend. 

"She didn't pass her trot-up for John (Halley), and he felt she wouldn't get through when inspected by the veterinary panel. She is going to be covered by Galileo," O'Brien said.

Magical was pre-entered in both the Breeders' Cup Turf and Maker's Mark Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf (G1T), and her first preference was in the Turf. Since she will be missing out on the race, O'Brien has Anthony Van Dyke and Mount Everest to look towards for the Turf. For the Filly & Mare Turf, he will have Fleeting and Just Wonderful. 

Ryan Moore will be the jockey for most of the team's horses, as confirmed by O'Brien. Wayne Lordan will be on the second strings. 

Lordan is set to be with Iridessa in the Filly & Mare Turf, and Buick has been drafted in for Just Wonderful. 

"Seamie Heffernan isn't going to ride there because of the lighter weights," O'Brien said.