Magical Memory (Ire) (Zebedee {GB}) will not run again this season after suffering a minor setback. The 4-year-old sprinter had been expected to line-up in the G3 John Guest Bengough S. at Ascot on Saturday before a possible trip to America for the Breeders' Cup. However, those plans have been scrapped and connections of the Charlie Hills-trained grey are already looking forward to 2017.
Magical Memory, winner of the Stewards' Cup in 2015, established himself as a classy performer with victories in the G3 Abernant and G2 Duke Of York S. on his first two starts this term. He was then a close fourth in the G1 Diamond Jubilee S. at Royal Ascot, but put in below-par efforts in both the G1 July Cup and G1 Sprint Cup at Haydock in which he had finished third the previous campaign.
“He had a small setback last week,” said Sam Hoskins, racing manager for owners Kennet Valley Throughbreds. “He's fine. He'll be hand walked for the next week and then go on his winter break. It may a blessing in disguise, although it's a shame he can't go pot-hunting abroad, but he'll be back. I think we'll follow a similar programme to this year and start off aiming at the Abernant in April.”
Added Hoskins, “He's a star horse. His last two runs may have been a little disappointing, but there were excuses and he's still a very exciting prospect for next year. His breaks after his 2-year-old and 3-year-old [seasons] really worked wonders. I'm glad this has happened now rather than in April.”
Tullius (Ire) (Le Vie Dei Colori {GB}), another flagbearer for the Kennet Valley syndicates, is on course to run at Ascot on British Champions Day for the third year running next month. After competing in the Group1 Queen Elizabeth II S. and the G1 QIPCO Champion S., the 8-year-old's sights will be lowered as he is set for the Balmoral H. that concludes the star-studded card.
“Tullius runs in the Balmoral H. on Champions Day. He'll be one of the top weights in that,” said Hoskins. “He ran a great race at Goodwood [Listed Crimbourne Stud Foundation S.] last week and runs off a mark of 110 at Ascot. What a horse he is.”
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