MAGICO HAS CAST HIS FINAL SPELL ON THE TRACK

MAGICO HAS CAST HIS FINAL SPELL ON THE TRACK

Ian Fortune

2022 English Derby champion Romeo Magico has run his final race. In a post that can only be described as short and sweet, the Riverside Kennels announced the news on Instagram over the weekend.

The words, “Retired to Stud, Badger with his Badger” accompanied three pictures of the stunning looking son of Magical Bale playing with his soft toy, ending an exceptional career that saw him perform at the very highest level from start to finish. (See post at bottom of story)

Of course, the greatest night of his career came at Towcester last summer as he raced to a famous success in the English Blue Riband but he will be remembered fondly for so much more than that one night.

BADGER HITS THE TRACK

“Badger”, as he was known at home debuted in the Juvenile Classic in February 2021.

Plenty went wrong for him that night and he failed to take his place in the second round, instead given a short break before making his second appearance in a graded race at Limerick three weeks later.

Despite suffering a narrow defeat, he displayed promise and the decision was made to give him his chance in the Con & Annie Kirby Memorial despite his inexperience. His stay in the competition was ultimately a short one, going out in the second round after a traffic marred passage but his opening round display was certainly notable.

There may have been faster winners on the night but he gave an indication of what was to come in the future. Showing fine early dash to lead from the opening turn, he devoured the ground down the back straight, striding out like a thoroughbred.  

That never left him through the remainder of his racing career. His pace and fluency down the back straight really was something to behold. He went on to claim his first win by a wide margin in 28.40 but he soon bettered that time.

After his exit from the Kirby Memorial, he took his chance in the Sean O’Connor Cup and blew holes in his opposition in the opening round, winning by almost a dozen lengths in a sensational 28.18. It was clear he had all the talent in the world but a second round exit again highlighted his need for more experience.

It was consistency that cost the August ’19 in that first year but he still produced some exceptional displays. A failed crack at the English Derby was followed by a few superb runs over 550yds around Shelbourne Park in the early rounds of the Champion 550, a couple of one-off opens and the first round of the Derby.

He was also given his chance in the Laurels and Leger, showing plenty of ability but ultimately running out of luck in both classics. His final run of the year came with a luckless passage in the Winter Racing Festival.

A NEW GREYHOUND IN 2022

All the racing stood to him, however, as he returned in 2022 a new greyhound.

In mid-February he flew around Shelbourne Park in 28.11, putting him right for a crack at the Easer Cup. Showing new found strength, he was superb through the classic, despite failing to win a round. 

In the delayed final, behind the Irish Oaks and Derby Susie Sapphire, he ran a huge race. He may have finished last but that all came down to bad traffic at the third turn. Giving Susie Sapphire a four-length lead into the turn, he faced a mammoth task but he unleashed an incredible turn of pace down the back straight to sit right on her heels at the third turn.

Forced to check slightly at this point with the leader closing the door, he was clipped from behind at this point. He may have finished well back but had shown enough to suggest he was ready to make waves in 2022.

Graham Holland went on record as saying he had grown into a man over the winter break and seemed a far more settled greyhound. Gone was the puppish nature and the results backed this view.

A DATE WITH DESTINY AT TOWCESTER

His next assignment came at Towcester in the English Derby and Romeo Magico took this opportunity to claim his place in history.

After beating the defending champion, Thorn Falcon, in a Trial Stake, he proceeded to impress through the early rounds. Come the quarter finals, it was clear he was enjoying every second of the classic.

He produced a paw-perfect display in the quarters, winning in 29.01, before repeating that run in the semis, winning in 29.06. A trap our draw didn’t look ideal in the decider but he was still installed the 5-2 second choice in the market.

After going so close on many occasions, it was Graham Holland’s time to finally come out on top in the English Derby. Romeo Magico was brilliant. Second into the turn behind the fast-starting Kildare, he pounced off the second turn when a gap opened on the fence.

Showing his incredible back straight pace, his new found maturity and strength and a desire to win, the sensationally fast son of Magical Bale and Fabulous Artist raced to a famous victory by a length and three quarters in 28.95. It was a special night or David and Nicola Firmager, who not only owned Romeo Magico but also bred the Derby champion. 

THE END OF THE ROAD

Romeo Magico continued to perform at the highest level, running well through the early rounds of the Irish Derby and reaching the final of the Leger at Limerick later in 2022.

Returning to reach another Easter Cup decider this year but he would never again match his achievements at Towcester.

Hi final run would come in the third round of the Boylesports Derby in mid-August and he now rides off into the sunset. A special greyhound with the looks temperament and ability to be a real success at stud, he will be forever remembered for that faithful night in Towcester when he was at his majestic best. The best of luck to Badger in the future and we look forward to seeing his progeny hit the track.