Magician is spellbinding in G1 Breeders’ Cup Turf

The Aidan O’Brien-trained Magician (3c Galileo-Absolutelyfabulous, by Mozart) starred at Santa Anita on Saturday as he came with a brilliantly-timed run under Ryan Moore to win the G1 Breeders’ Cup Classic.

The exceptional Galileo colt, also winner of the G1 Irish 2,000 Guineas in May, was having his first start since June as he stepped up in trip to 12 furlongs for the $3 million Breeders’ Cup contest.

Moore finished a wet sail to beat The Fugue and he was full of praise for his mount. “He’s one of the best horses I’ve ridden in a long time,” said the jockey. “He switched off nice at the beginning.

“I was a bit further back than I wanted to be because he got a bump at the turn and he lost his back end, but he levelled off nicely and got his balance. From there he took me to where I wanted to be. He's got a lot of speed, and although we had to come wide he really picked up.”

O’Brien told PA Sport: “Ryan gave him a wonderful ride - a big 'well done' to everyone involved, and especially to the lads for letting me move him up to this trip. “It’s been a job well done by the team to achieve this. I have to thank Michael (Tabor) whose idea it was that we should move him up in trip to a mile and a half

"The week before Ascot he knocked a hind leg in the stable and the trainer had the great idea to put him in the spa. He'd almost gone through his full swim when a sparrow flew in the door and between his ears, which caused him to jump out and bruise both his front legs.

"I probably shouldn't have run him at Ascot (St James's Palace), it was one of those freak things, but when Camelot had a setback a couple of weeks ago we were able to reroute Magician to this race off his long break.

"I've had some great horses (win the race), but this one is a bit different in that he is a Classic winner over a mile. The icing on the cake is that he is by Galileo, who is the most incredible stallion I shall ever have anything to do with. Hopefully he'll come back next year."