Magallan Strait sprung a 150/1 surprise in the Friends of the Curragh Irish Cesarewitch at the Curragh on Sunday.
The Joseph O'Brien-trained four-year-old had finished well beaten in both attempts at big handicaps this year but had shown some useful form as a three-year-old, winning twice. The unexposed gelding had finished sixteenth when last seen at the Galway Festival, racing prominently in the early stages before weakening with two furlongs to run.
Ridden by claiming jockey Hugh Horgan, Magellan Strait raced with usual tactics, sitting handily through the early stages before hitting second place with four furlongs to run. He was forced to put his head down and battle in the closing stages, fighting off the advances of the experienced Falcon Eight and stablemate Dawn Rising, who had placed second in the Group 3 Irish St Leger Trial two starts back. Magellan Strait finished off the race well to defeat Falcon Eight by half a length with Dawn Rising a short head back in third. Favourite Tower of London was always at the rear of the field and failed to land a blow in the closing stages, finishing ninth.
"It's a fantastic win. A great run and a great ride from Hugh," said O'Brien.
"He's not been the most consistent horse in the world, but when he runs his race he generally runs a good race. Hugh got a great tune out of him today.
"He stays very well and stamina has always been his thing. That's what he did today, he outstayed them.
"Hugh's instructions were to go forward, get a nice position, and make sure that stamina counted and to go out on his sword. He committed at the bottom of the straight and he kept galloping."
