MAGICAL is still in training in Ballydoyle and Aidan O’Brien says he is “very hopeful” she could race on this season.

Thought to have been retired after completing the Champion Stakes double last season, the four-time Group 1 winner is due to be covered shortly by No Nay Never. However, the mating may not happen and, even if it does, Magical will return to Ballydoyle for at least part of this year.

Speaking to The Irish Field yesterdy, the trainer said: “Magical spent the winter in Ballydoyle and she has done very well physically. I asked the owners would they be interested in keeping her in training and they said they would be interested. She is still due to be covered soon but that might not happen until next year. In that case we would have her for the full year rather than just part of the season. That’s what I am hoping will happen and the owners are giving it a lot of consideration.”

In the meantime the champion trainer hopes to have two or three runners on Saudi Arabia’s big raceday in a fortnight’s time. Magic Wand will have her first start on dirt in the $20 million Saudi Cup, while Mount Everest runs in the 10-furlong Neon Turf Cup.

Delphinia could be a third runner for Ballydoyle on the card if she gets a place in the $2 million Red Sea Handicap over one mile and seven furlongs. Beaten by a short-head in the Group 1 Fillies & Mares Stakes at Ascot in October, she needs just one horse above her in the weights to be withdrawn to allow her into the race.

The trainer said: “Every time Magic Wand has been to America she does all her exercise on the dirt and she seems very happy on it. Frankie Dettori says that the dirt track in Saudi is the closest you will get to grass, there is no kickback – so we just thought it was worth trying.”

Magical missed the Breeders’ Cup due to a high temperature and it has been reported this week that Breeders’ Cup winner Iridessa has been retired and sold to Japan. Trained by Joseph O’Brien, Iridessa won four Group 1 races in her career for owners John Murrell and Chantal Regalado-Gonzalez.

Now aged four, Iridessa was due to remain in training but is said to have damaged a tendon by striking into herself while in her box.

In other broodmare news, the Eddie Lynam-trained Group 2 winner Soffia has been retired from racing and is due to be covered by Frankel.