Saturday 20 October 2018 15:10, UK
Well-backed Magical came out on top of a strong Aidan O'Brien contingent in the British Champions Day Fillies & Mares Stakes at Ascot.
The daughter of Galileo stormed past favourite Lah Ti Dar into the lead with just over a furlong remaining and saw out the trip well to win by a length under Ryan Moore.
John Gosden, responsible for the favourite, saddled the eventual runner-up Coronet, who came with a strong finish but never looked like catching the 5/1 winner.
Lah Ti Dar, who finished second in the St Leger at Doncaster last month, came home third.
O'Brien said: "She ran a lovely race in the Arc finished 10th), and we really fancied her for the Oaks last year - (but) she had a little setback and didn't get to run.
"Wayne (Lordan) rode her in the Arc and he loved her. Wayne came in after the Arc and he was brilliant, he said there was no doubt this filly does get a mile and a half as that was her first time over a mile and a half and that is why we came back here.
"She was working lovely - and we're really, really delighted.
"We were always going to take our time with her (in the race), and she had a lovely position and relaxed. So I couldn't have been happier.
"That is her first Group One. We thought she might handle ease in the ground as she had form with ease in the ground as a two-year-old.
Asked about a trip to the Breeders' Cup, the Ballydoyle trainer said: "It's possible. Obviously, the lads will decide what they want to do - like they always do.
"We see how they come out of races, then we suggest a plan we think might suit - then the lads will make the decision themselves.
"She is very valuable and as she had an injury we want to make sure she is OK if she was to go to America."
