Magna Grecia just claimed victory in the final Group One of the British Flat season on Saturday, the Vertem Futurity Trophy Stakes at Doncaster.
It was Aidan O’Brien’s ninth win in the race and two of his last three winners, Camelot and Saxon Warrior, followed up in the following year’s 2000 Guineas at Newmarket.
Sky Bet left Magna Grecia unchanged at 16/1 for next year's 2000 Guineas.
Second to Persian King in the Autumn Stakes last time, Magna Grecia was supplemented for this race on the back of that performance and he didn’t let connections down with a gutsy victory.
Held up in mid division by Donnacha O'Brien, stablemates Western Australia and Circus Maximus cut out the running and they opened up a gap on the field approaching the final quarter mile.
Magna Grecia went off in pursuit of his stablemates inside the two pole and five horses looked in with a chance inside the final furlong as the Ballydoyle trio were joined by Phoenix Of Spain and Great Scot.
However, it was Magna Grecia (2/1 favourite) that pulled out more to deny Phoenix Of Spain (11/2) with Western Australia (50/1) holding on for third.
O'Brien said: "I'm delighted with him, he's still a bit babyish but he's coming forward lovely.
"We think a mile will be his thing next year."
The result provided his young rider with yet another Group One in what has been a stellar season.
Set to be crowned Irish champion jockey, he has also won the Oaks, 2000 Guineas and Irish Derby among a host of big-race successes this term.
A stewards' inquiry was called as there appeared to be contact between the first two, initially when Magna Grecia moved out from behind his stable companions to make his challenge and then just before the line, but there was no change to the result.
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