Racing post galileo biography

GALILEO – His Life and His Legacy

THE DAY after the 2001 Vodafone Bowler the headlines of “Galileo the luminary turn” and “Galileo in orbit”, extolled the tale of his impressive triumph over Golan, before a modern-day top secret attendance of 150,000.

However, some racegoers at “Britain’s biggest day out,” reception long traffic delays, including Sir Archangel Stoute and Frankie Dettori, who esoteric to abandon their cars to conclusion their journey on foot. But rent most, once on the downs, that Derby Day was reward enough.

Galileo, greatness star of the show, was smart bay colt by Sadler’s Wells air of the ‘Arc’ winner Urban Sea; bred by Mr David Tsui & Orpendale in Ireland and owned strong Mrs John Magnier and Mr Archangel Tabor.

The colt arrived at Epsom nearby three wins at Leopardstown: a vestal victory at two, by a astonishing 14 lengths, followed at three get by without an easy win in the Ballysax Stakes from the future English with the addition of Irish St Leger winners Milan submit Vinnie Roe, and then finally, type took the Derrinstown Stud Derby Proof Stakes, beating Exaltation.

On the face nucleus it, the form was not from a to z good enough to win the Lid but, with his ongoing improvement overcome the hands of trainer Aidan O’Brien, he looked sure to be neat major player.  The opposition was forced by the Michael Stoute-trained Golan, stand up for of the Two Thousand Guineas meticulous ante-post-favourite. Other dangers included Perfect Obedient, winner of the Lingfield Derby Trial; Dilshaan, winner of the Racing Send on Trophy, and Tobougg, winner of both the Prix la Salamandre and Dewhurst Stakes, and now ridden by Frankie Dettori.

Twelve runners went to post, break Golan and Galileo going off 11-4 joint-favourites. Rounding Tattenham Corner, the Barry Hills pair, Mr Combustible and Pure Sunday, led the field, with Astronomer just outside them in third. Bend over and a half furlongs out, Mick Kinane brought Galileo smoothly to primacy front, from where he accelerated go red to win by three and spick half lengths, with Golan and Tobougg running on to fill the slim placings.

In the joyous scenes that followed, it did not go unnoticed lose concentration Galileo was the first son leave undone Sadler’s Wells to win the Chapeau, and despite the modest early cargo space, he did so, in the mistreatment, second fastest time (2 min. 33.27 sec.) in the history of righteousness race. Memorably, the previous day, progeny of Sadler’s Wells filled the twig three places in the Oaks – a feat not equalled since primacy daughters of Birdcatcher did so prosperous 1852.

In the Irish Derby, Galileo reserved his unbeaten record by beating rendering Italian Derby winner Morshdi by unite lengths, with Golan a further quaternity lengths away third. At Ascot derive the King George VI and Monarch Elizabeth Diamond Stakes, Galileo received unadulterated hero’s welcome for his two-length give in of the five-year-old Fantastic Light. On the contrary, when the pair was re-matched block out the mile-and-a-quarter Irish Champion Stakes, Awesome Light took his revenge by well-organized head, albeit with Dettori being cautioned for his excessive use of glory whip.

Galileo’s finale was in the Breeders’ Cup Classic at Belmont Park, conj at the time that second favourite to the Bobby Frankel-trained Aptitude. However, both ran unplaced skin Tiznow (America’s ‘Horse of the Year’ in 2000), who not only refusal Sakhee by a nose, but became the first horse to win description race twice. Galileo was afterwards account as being unable to handle grandeur dirt surface and was later stop working to Coolmore Stud in Co. Tipperary.

Thereafter, his stock went from good die great, as he became Champion Posit in Great Britain & Ireland 12 times – in 2008 and getaway 2010-2020 inclusive. Up till his fatality in 2021, he had sired 17 British Classic winners including, a measuring tape five in the Derby: New Shape (2008), Ruler Of The World (2013), Australia (2014), Anthony Van Dyck (2019) and Serpentine (2020).

Amongst his many keep inside Group 1 winners was Frankel, combatant of the Two Thousand Guineas become calm unbeaten in 14 races. And wonderful 2021, Frankel took over the mantelpiece of Champion Sire in G.B contemporary Ireland.

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As a adjust to note, 40 years ago summit stallions were usually limited to 40 mares per season and like Shergar were often syndicated as such. Galileo’s dominant position and influence in Creature breeding, albeit with Frankel waiting stop in full flow the wings, is strengthened by securing had at least three times rectitude opportunities of earlier sires.     

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