Aidan O'Brien's stable star Magical was retired three weeks ago after a superb career but that has now been put on hold after the superstar four year old is part of Aidan O'Briens team of five for next month's Hong Kong international meeting.
The filly has been one of sire Galileo's greatest exploits winning numerous Group One contests during her career including twice at ascot on British Champions Day in consecutive seasons in the Fillies and Mares and the Champion Stakes.
This season was her most successful year to date landing three Group One contests with one of her stand out performances being when landing the Irish Champion Stakes at Leopardstown.
Her nemesis throughout her career was the mighty Enable as she finished behind her on multiple separate occasions but used that form to create the career she had and after her Champion Stakes victory her trainer called time on her superb career.
With the Breeders Cup a possible option for the filly and the fillies and mares contest in America on the horizon she suffered a slight setback and did not head over to the states and was retired by her connections.
She’s a champion! Magical wins the Group 1 QIPCO Champion Stakes under @donnacha_obrien for Aidan O’Brien at @Ascot… #ChampionsDay pic.twitter.com/cZAtNUU6gJ
— At The Races (@AtTheRaces) October 19, 2019
However, with Magical set to go to stud O'Brien has now scrapped that plan for the time being and she is set to be seen back on a racecourse, this time in Hong Kong for a clash with Japanese superstar Almond Eye in the Hong Kong Cup over a mile and a quarter.
Magical will be joined by Magi Wand in the Group One event but O'Brien has sent three other runners over to hing Kong with Epsom Derby winner Anthony Van Dyck and Mount Everest entered in the Vase and Circus Maximus for the Mile contest.
(Credit Racing Post) Andrew Harding, Hong Kong Jockey Club executive director of racing, said: "We are delighted with the quality of the selected runners for this year's Longines Hong Kong International Races.
"Almond Eye's participation is particularly exciting when viewed in the context of the other world-class horses selected – champions of the calibre of Beauty Generation and Exultant and other global stars like Magical and the Derby winner Anthony Van Dyck."