12 September 2020
Photo Magical in October last year at ParisLongchamp: scoopdyga.com
A few Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe (Gr1) contenders were on display in the Irish Champion Stakes (Group 1, 2,000m/10f) at Leopardstown on Saturday. It gave rise to the victory of the iron lady, the five-year-old mare Magical (Galileo), who won this last year en route to her fifth place in the Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe.
On this occasion, the Irish mare managed to take the measure of Ghaiyyath (Dubawi), previously unbeaten this beaten, after a superb duel. Magical is the arch-rival of Enable: the British mare out to snare an unprecedented third win in the Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe on October 4th. The two mares have crossed swords five times, and Magical has yet to beat her rival. However, she certainly gave her nemesis plenty to do in the Longines Breeders’ Cup Turf in November 2018. Magical and Enable have yet to hook up this season. However, they are due to clash in the Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe. Magical seems better than ever, but Enable showed her mettle in the September Stakes (Group 3) on September 5th…
The French raider Sottsass (Siyouni) was also using the Irish Champion Stakes as a launchpad to the Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe. After getting outpaced, he just came up short as regards capturing third place. Jean-Claude Rouget, his trainer, opined: «It was to prove a good race for the horse. He got outpaced and ran like a horse in need of a longer trip. It’s a good thing that the Arc is run over 2.400 metres (12f). It was a good stepping stone for him. »