International Guide: Magical, Old Persian begin seasons in Europe
Ready to take a trip around the world from the comfort of your couch? Horse racing is a global sport, and thanks to simulcasting, fans can easily watch and wager on major races from every hemisphere.
In this new weekly series, we’ll highlight a handful of the biggest races to follow around the world each week. As the season heats up in Europe, you can expect to see a bevy of stars and potential Breeders’ Cup contenders in action.
So tighten your seatbelts, we’re in for quite a ride! We’ll kick things off with a four-race jaunt across Ireland, France, and Japan:
Saturday, June 27
Curragh, Ireland, Race 7: Irish Derby (G1, 2:15 p.m. ET)
Internationally-renowned trainer Aidan O’Brien will saddle half a dozen sophomores in search of his 14th victory in this 1 1/2-mile classic. Chief among the O’Brien trainees is Santiago, fresh off a resounding victory in the 1 3/4-mile Queen’s Vase (G2) at Royal Ascot. The sturdy son of Authorized is on the rise, but could face a challenge from Crossfirehurricane, a Kentucky-bred son of Kitten’s Joy conditioned by O’Brien’s son, Joseph O’Brien.
Winner of the Patton Stakes on the European Road to the Kentucky Derby, Crossfirehurricane is undefeated in four starts and was a comfortable winner of the 1 1/4-mile Gallinule (G3) at the Curragh two weeks ago. Stretching out over 1 1/2 miles is a question mark, but so far no one has found a way to lower Crossfirehurricane’s colors.
Sunday, June 28
Curragh, Ireland, Race 6: Pretty Polly Stakes (G1, 11:45 a.m. ET)
Aidan O’Brien’s top mare Magical was originally slated for retirement after battling to victory against males in Ascot’s Champion Stakes (G1) last October, but plans have been changed and the 5-year-old daughter of Galileo will instead stick around for another season. Runner-up behind superstar Enable in the 2018 Breeders’ Cup Turf (G1), Magical is a four-time Group 1 winner over distances ranging from 1 1/4 miles to 1 1/2 miles and will be a heavy favorite to claim top honors while facing just four rivals in the 1 1/4-mile Pretty Polly.
The only concern is the fact Magical is returning from an 8-month layoff. If she’s rusty off the long break, her younger stablemate Fleeting—who placed in the 2019 Epsom Oaks (G1) and Irish Oaks (G1)—can steal the show. Though she has yet to nab a Group 1 win, Fleeting might have a fitness edge after finishing second in the Curragh’s 1 5/16-mile Mooresbridge (G2) on June 12 to kick off her 2020 campaign.
Saint-Cloud, France, Race 5: Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud (G1, 8:50 a.m. ET)
Just five horses are entered to contest this 2,400-meter (about 1 1/2 miles) test of class and stamina, but the quality of the field is high with a trio of proven Group 1 performers in the mix. North American racing fans will want to keep an eye on the globe-trotting Godolphin homebred Old Persian, a tried-and-true 2,400-meter specialist with eight wins from 16 starts.
Old Persian enjoyed a highly productive 2019, winning the Dubai Sheema Classic (G1) before snatching Woodbine’s Northern Dancer (G1) in decisive fashion. Though Old Persian failed to factor when finishing 11th in the Breeders’ Cup Turf (G1), he didn’t get the cleanest trip and could be bound for a return journey to North America if his summer in Europe goes well. Facing just four rivals in the Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud, Old Persian has a strong chance to start his season on a winning note.
Tokyo Racecourse, Japan, Race 11: Takarazuka Kinen (G1, 2:40 a.m. ET)
A “Win and You’re In” qualifier for the Breeders’ Cup Turf (G1), the 2,200-meter Takarazuka Kinen has attracted 18 of Japan’s finest horses—classic winners Wagnerian, Saturnalia, and Kiseki plus Group 1 winners Glory Vase, Persian Knight, and Blast Onepiece, to name just a few. But the star of the show might be the 5-year-old mare Lucky Lilac, a Group 1-winning juvenile in the midst of a career renaissance.
Enjoy the racing!