Today we are looking back at the 2019 renewal of the Champion Stakes where the seven time Group One winning mare Magical took the event for Aidan O'Brien.
Magical in the early part of her career was known for finishing runner up to Enable in the big middle distance Group Ones and it arguably made her into the horse she became.
Having won the Irish Champion Stakes in 2019, she then finished a good fifth in the Arc and in such a short turn around went to Ascot and landed this event in taking style.
Having been thought to be heading for retirement after her success in the Ascot finale, Magical made a stellar return to racing with Coolmore operations have given her one more season on the track and it has looked to have paid dividends after she romped home on seasonal debut in the Group One Pretty Polly Stakes.
She backed that up in the Tattersalls Gold Cup at The Curragh and although it was not the strongest race it saw her land a hat-trick of black type events.
She took on Ghaiyyath in the Juddmonte International and was no match for the Godolphin, but reversed the form to land another Irish Champion Stakes.
Looking for the Champion Stakes double she could only finish a valiant third behind Addeybb, who reversed the form from the year before.
The mare was last seen globetrotting on two occasions in the Breeders Cup Turf and Hong Kong Cup where she went close on both times.
Enjoy her win in the 2019 Champion Stakes!
A Group 1 winner seven times and a mare cut from the finest cloth - enjoy your retirement, Magical! 🏆@coolmorestud @Ascot pic.twitter.com/1dGMAcNQF2
— At The Races (@AtTheRaces) December 22, 2020