Son Of Australia Captures Irish Cesarewitch

Magellan Strait (4g Australia - Reine De Coeur, by Montjeu) produced a career-best performance in testing conditions to win the valuable Irish Cesarewitch at the Curragh.

Twice a winner last season, Joseph O’Brien’s charge was ridden by Hugh Horgan for the first time on Sunday and raced prominently throughout the extended two mile test. Ridden to challenge inside the final furlong, he improved to dispute 110 yards from home and kept on strongly to lead close home. The winning margin was half a length, as the evergreen Falcon Eight (Galileo) claimed runners-up honours, while Irish St Leger third Dawn Rising (Galileo) filled that same position on Sunday.

“It's a fantastic win for Magellan Strait and a great ride from Hugh,” O’Brien said after the race. “I'm delighted for his owner Ray Grehan, who bred him too. He has run some very good races, has had some disappointments in the middle of it, but today was his day.”

The progressive son of Australia is a half-brother to Ascot Stakes victor Lagostovegas (Footstepsinthesand).