Magical lowers Ghaiyyath's colours in epic clash

Magical retained her Group One Irish Champion Stakes crown by outbattling Ghaiyyath over a mile and a quarter in Leopardstown.

All-conquering Ghaiyyath entered the fray on the back of three consecutive Group One successes which earned him the highest rating of any racehorse in the world. He went off 8/13 favourite.

Magical was a 9/2 chance and tracked Ghaiyyath throughout this eagerly-awaited clash.

There was always less than a length between the pair, but it was Magical who overwhelmed her opponent racing into the final furlong.

She took a narrow lead and grittily extended it to three quarters of a length at the winning post as Ghaiyyath had to settle for second.

“We were very happy after York, we saw what she was able to do. When she went by herself in York she just lost interest a little bit and then the others came around her and she started staying on after the race was over,” said Aidan O'Brien.

“What she always wants is to eyeball a horse and battle. Seamus (Heffernan) was happy to make the running today if William wanted to get a lead and if William (Buick, on Ghaiyyath) was going to go on Seamus was going to go with him to keep her interested and he gave her a brilliant ride.

“She's one serious mare when you get into a battle with her and when you really get into a battle with her that's when you really see what she can do as you saw there today."

On the decision to bring her back into training, he said: “The lads made the call and all credit to them for doing it.

“She was booked to go to No Nay Never and we were just so delighted that they decided to give her another go. They said that hopefully No Nay Never will be there next year and hopefully she will be as well. She's an amazing mare.

“I suppose we are learning about her all the time. If you get away from her she gets a bit lazy but if you get into a fight with her very few will eyeball her.

“That's what she did, she eyeballed the colt all the way.

“She's a great filly. It wasn't a big field but they were all good horses in it. Armory ran an unbelievable race as well.

“It's a massive race. Of all the European races, prestige-wise, this is one of the top if not the top because on ratings over a 10-year period this nearly comes out on top of all the races.

“Every year all the high-rated horses turn up here. It has a perfect place in the calendar, perfect ground, perfect distance.”

On Seamie Heffernan, he said: “Seamus is a great rider and always was. He's mature, confident, has great loyalty and a great work ethic.

“He's a great horseman, great jockey, world-class and always was. We go back a long way, we lived together in Jim (Bolger's) and I'm delighted for him.”

On future plans for Magical, he said: “She has the choice of the Arc or the fillies' race on the same day. It will depend on what the lads want to do with Love.

“The Breeders' Cup could also suit her really well.”

Magical brought up a double for O'Brien and Heffernan on day one of Longines Irish Champions Weekend. They also teamed up with Monday in the opening race of the day.

Paddy Power made Magical 8/1 from 20/1 for the Arc and 5/1 from 12/1 for the Breeders' Cup Turf.

Additional reporting by Gary Carson