Magician romps home in the Irish 2,000 Guineas at the Curragh© Photo Healy Racing
Magician showed his magic in the first Irish Classic of the season when decisively winning the 2,000 Guineas by three and a half lengths at 10/3. Trading Leather and Kevin Manning set out to make the mile a proper test when racing into a clear lead.
He couldn’t keep up the pace though and when Joseph O’Brien sent his charge in pursuit two furlongs out the result was never in doubt.
A furlong and a half out Magician drew alongside Trading Leather and quickened away. Gale Force Ten tried to chase him down, but could make no impact and had to settle for second at 7/1. He did though give Aidan O’Brien a one-two in the classic.
Trading Leather occupied third at 6/1 for Jim Bolger, beaten five lengths by the winner.
Joseph O’Brien commented: “The key to him fast ground. He settles very well and has a great attitude. You couldn’t say he wouldn’t stay further than a mile and a quarter.”
Aidan O’Brien said: “We always thought he was very smart and he has a lot of class. He has the movement and looks and is an exciting horse. You have to have a lot of speed in Chester [won Dee Stakes].
“Cristoforo Colombo wasn’t 100 per cent, but the owners made the right decision to come here with this horse. Joseph said he went to the line really strongly.
“He’s a beautiful horse and has a lot of options now. I imagine next week [Epsom Derby] might come too quick for him. We’ll look forward to Ascot. He could go for the St James’ Palace Stakes.
“He’s a very straightforward horse at home. He’s very calm, but very sharp. He’s by Galileo which makes him extra special. He’s uncomplicated which is a great sign of a horse usually.
“We are always happy when there’s pace on. It makes it more straightforward for everybody. To win a strongly run race over a mile at the Curragh you have to get a mile and a quarter.
“Everybody saw what he did at Chester. A mile and a quarter is no problem to him. He’s built like a miler, but stays further.”
Aidan O’Brien’s wife Anne Marie added: “He handled the ground very well. He closed the gap on the leader very easily. He has been working very well at home. Aidan had to rethink his plans for this race after Cristoforo Colombo had a setback.”
Owner John Magnier said: “Magician has plenty of pace in his breeding and has Galileo there too. We are really looking forward to Camelot tomorrow. The vets did a good job on him.”
Joseph O’Brien has had three rides in the Irish 2,000 Guineas and incredibly now has three winners – Roderic O’Connor (2011), Power (2012) and Magician today. He now has ridden eight Irish classic winners in total.
This was a 29th Irish classic for Aidan O’Brien.
Magician gave Aidan and Joseph O'Brien a double on the day after the success of Coach House in the Marble Hill.
Additional reporting by Gary Carson
