Magical Spearheads O'Brien's Breeders' Cup Team

Enable might be missing from the Breeders' Cup World Championships at Santa Anita Park but Aidan O'Brien is still leaning towards a tilt at the Nov. 2 Maker's Mark Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf (G1T) for Magical following her tenacious triumph in the Oct. 19 QIPCO Champion Stakes (British Champions Middle Distance, G1) at Ascot.

Derby-winning stablemate Anthony Van Dyck is set to be handed the baton for the Longines Breeders' Cup Turf (G1T), a race O'Brien has won six times including with back-to-back winner High Chaparral in 2002 and 2003.

"Magical will be entered in the Turf, along with Anthony Van Dyck, but she is more likely to run in the Filly & Mare Turf in which Fleeting, who didn't have the clearest of runs at Ascot on Saturday, is also an intended runner," said the trainer. 

O'Brien is still searching for a first win in the Filly & Mare Turf, having gone close when Rhododendron finished runner-up to Wuheida in 2017. 

He is finalizing his team sheet for Santa Anita next weekend and has confirmed that Circus Maximus, the St. James's Palace Stakes (G1) and Prix du Moulin de Longchamp (G1) winner, will try to give him a first success in the TVG Breeders' Cup Mile (G1T). 

O'Brien said: "Circus Maximus is an intended runner in the Mile. We've been happy with him since his win at Longchamp."

Arizona and Wichita, second and third respectively behind Pinatubo in the Darley Dewhurst Stakes (G1), and Juddmonte Royal Lodge Stakes (G2) winner Royal Dornoch, are under consideration for the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf presented by Coolmore America (G1T) with Curragh listed winner Tango penciled in for the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf (G1T).

Fairyland, winner of the Derrinstown Stud Flying Five Stakes (G1) at the Curragh last month, is being aimed at the Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint (G1T).