Aidan O’Brien’s Magical gets the better of fancied stablemates Happily and September in the Debutante Stakes at the Curragh
O'Brien's September and Happily dominated the betting market but it was Magical who dominated on the track as she recorded an all-the-way win
AIDAN O'BRIEN's Magical upstaged her two stable companions to take the Group 2 Breast Cancer Research Debutante Stakes at the Curragh.
Donnacha O'Brien dictated affairs on the sister of last year's winner Rhododendron and the 11-1 chance kept up the gallop throughout the seven-furlong trip.
Happily (6-4) tried to lay down a strong challenge but Magical would not be denied.
Willie McCreery's Mary Tudor was third, with the O'Brien-trained September, the 11-10 favourite, only fourth.
🏇 Templegate's Treble 🏇
- NAP 3.40 Southwell - Old Harry Rocks: 'Has hit form since stepping up in trip'
- NEXT BEST 3.25 Pontefract - La Fritillaire: 'She is nicely treated and has a good record at this track'
- TREBLE 5.40 Pontefract - Highly Sprung: 'Didn't like Brighton last time but he's well weighted on last year's form'
It was a 12th win in the race for the Ballydoyle handler.
O'Brien said of the winner: "She had a lovely run the first day and she was a bit green at Cork and made hard work of it.
MOST READ
"Donnacha was delighted with her. She stays well and should get well beyond a mile next year."
Of his beaten duo, he added: "Ryan (Moore) said Happily struggled to quicken and she is able to quicken better on better ground.
"Seamus (Heffernan) was a bit the same with September on her first run back. She will come on from that.
"They are all nice fillies and were all coming here with the view to coming back for the Moyglare.
"Clemmie will go for the Moyglare as well but not if the ground is soft."