The winning four-year-son of Camelot was second to Magical in the Tattersalls Gold Cup at The Curragh in June. Sir Dragonet is now trained jointly by Ciaron Maher and David Eustace and was previously handled by Aidan O’Brien at Ballydoyle. Ozzie Kerr bought the colt from the Coolmore partners Ozzie Kerr last August.

This morning’s victory was a first Ladbrokes Cox Plate for former jump jockey Ciaron Maher, who has previously won four Grand Annual Steeplechases.

Even though he hadn’t won since the 2019 Chester Vase, Sir Dragonet was sent off at 13-2 for the 10-furlong weight-for-age Group 1.

Sir Dragonet broke slowly

Though Sir Dragonet broke slowly from stall 6, Boss found himself towards the rear of midfield for much of the AUD$5 million 14-runner contest.

Grandslam led until just before the home bend with Russian Camelot (5/2f) moving into contention. The favourite briefly led two furlongs out, with Irish challenger Armory (13/2) looking comfortable.

Glen Boss moved Sir Dragonet off the rail as they entered the home straight and the former Ballydoyle inmate powered clear to win by a comfortable length-and-a-half. Aidan O’Brien’s Armory outstaying the Irish-bred Russian Camelot for the runner-up spot.

Hugh Bowman was the intended rider for Sir Dragonet. When he got suspended Glen Boss was called in to replace him.

Boss said after winning his fourth Cox Plate:

“This is unbelievable. I couldn’t have scripted the run any better. He was up for the task.”

Joseph O’Brien’s Buckhurst, who only got into the race yesterday on the withdrawal of Magic Wand, finished 10^th.

Sir Dragonet’s Ladbrokes Cox Plate now guarantees him a place in the Melbourne Cup on 2 November.

This morning’s result was a victory for Coolmore as the first three horses are by the Tippperary stud’s stallions. The winner and third are by Camelot, while Armory, the runner-up is by Galileo.

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Racing Victoria officials said yesterday that both Magic Wand and Armory would have to pass a veterinary test before participation in the Group 1 contest.

Magic Wand, fourth in the race last year before winning the Group 1 Mackinnon Stakes, is out due to lameness in her off-fore leg.

It is better news for her stablemate Armory, who was also under an injury cloud, as he has been cleared to run.

Armory was third behind Magical and Ghaiyyath in the Group 1 Irish Champion Stakes at Leopardstown in September. He has been towards the top of the Cox Plate betting market since.

With Magic Wand now out, Joseph O’Brien’s Buckhurst will make the field.

The Lloyd Williams-owned horse was controversially made first reserve for the race earlier in the week. He will be ridden by Jamie Kah in Saturday’s feature race at Moonee Valley.

The 14-runner Group 1 is off at 6.10am Irish time on Saturday morning.

The Ladbrokes Cox Plate 2020 can be viewed live on www.racing.com.

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The Ballydoyle brigade for the weight-for-age championship of Australasia are Armory, Circus Maximus, Ennistymon, Japan, Magic Wand, Magical, Mogul, Mythical, Order Of Australia, Peaceful, Tiger Moth, and Vatican City.

Joseph O’Brien has three acceptors for the race with Buckhurst, Degraves and Patrick Sarsfield, while champion National Hunt trainer Willie Mullins has one acceptor in True Self.

Today’s 109 acceptances includes 37 Group 1 winners, represents the second highest number of first acceptors in the past decade with the lion’s share of a AUD $5 million purse and a one-off gold Cox Plate trophy on offer for the winner at The Valley on Saturday, 24 October 2020.

Nominal Cox Plate favourites Russian Camelot (entered in next Saturday’s Makybe Diva Stakes) and Verry Elleegant (Group 1 Winx Stakes winner at Randwick) feature among the acceptances, as does the former Aidan O’Brien-trained Sir Dragonet who arrives in Australia on 2 October to join the Ciaron Maher and Dave Eustace stable.

Other notable first stage acceptors include Melbourne Cup hero Vow And Declare (an intended runner in the Group 1 Makybe Diva next Saturday), Arcadia Queen, Behemoth (winner of the recent Group 1 Memsie Stakes at Caulfield), Surprise Baby and last weekend’s Feehan Stakes winner Humidor who is guaranteed a shot at a third Cox Plate placing.

A total of 22 Southern Hemisphere three-year-olds feature among the first acceptors including Alcyone, Farnan, Flying Award, King’s Legacy, North Pacific and Tagaloa.

Second acceptances for the Cox Plate will be taken on Tuesday, 22 September 2020.

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The Group 3 Chester Vase winner of last year was purchased for an undisclosed amount by Maher and owner Ozzie Kheir who reached a deal with Coolmore to secure the Group 3 winner who was fifth in the Epsom Derby and fourth in the Doncaster St Leger in 2019.

The horse, who will go into quarantine in September ahead of his move Down Under, was second in the Listed Devoy Stakes at Naas, second in the Listed Wolferton Stakes at Royal Ascot and was also second in the Group 3 Alleged Stakes at The Curragh on June 27.

“He’s got a massive pedigree,” said Ciaron Maher’s Racing Bloodstock Manager Will Bourne, before adding “He’s from the family of Galileo and is highly rated. It’s a quality purchase and we couldn’t be more excited.”

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O’Brien Senior, the 2014 Cox Plate-winning trainer, has entered 13 horses including 2019 contender Magic Wand and stable stars Japan and Magical. The Ballydoyle handler’s other nominations are Armory, Circus Maximus, Ennistymon, Mogul, Mythical, Order Of Australia, Peaceful, Sir Dragonet, Tiger Moth and Vatican City.

Joseph O’Brien has entered eight horses: Bolleville, Buckhurst, Crossfirehurricane, Degraves, Master Of Reality, Patrick Sarsfield, Pondus and Twilight Payment, while his younger brother has one horse nominated for the Ladbrokes-sponsored race, Prix de Diane winner Fancy Blue. There will be many Melbourne Cup Betting Offers and one to look out for maybe will be an O’Brien to train the winner.

The impressive list of 182 entries in total for Australia’s weight-for-age championship includes nominations from each state in Australia, New Zealand, France and England. Included within the entry list are 51 Group 1 winners, 42 Southern Hemisphere three-year-olds and 14 Northern Hemisphere three-year-olds.

Headlining the Australian contingent is Danny O’Brien’s Lexus Melbourne Cup winner Vow And Declare and his stablemate Russian Camelot, who was ridden by Cork-born jockey Johnny Allen to win the South Australian Derby in May, Queensland hero Alligator Blood and the inaugural two winners of The All-Star Mile, Mystic Journey and Regal Power.

With Russian Camelot and Nassau Stakes winner Fancy Blue among the 14 Northern Hemisphere three-year-olds on the entry list are 2020 Group 1 winners Kameko (Qipco 2000 Guineas) and Peaceful (Tattersalls Irish 1000 Guineas).

Eight horses that contested the 2019 Cox Plate are entered for the 2020 edition – Magic Wand (4th), Mystic Journey (5th), Kings Will Dream (6th), Harlem (8th), former Aidan O’Brien-trained horses Cape of Good Hope (10th) and Homesman (11th), Verry Elleegant (12th) and Danceteria (14th).

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