Galileo (horse)
Encyclopedia
Galileo is a retired Irish Thoroughbred
racehorse and active sire. He is best known for winning the Epsom Derby
, Irish Derby Stakes
, and King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes in 2001 and for his rivalry with the Godolphin champion Fantastic Light
. Since his retirement he has become known as a prolific and successful sire of racehorses.
(1.63 m) high bay horse with a narrow white blaze
and a white sock on his near hind leg. He was sired by Sadler's Wells
out of the mare Urban Sea
. His breeders were David Tsui, the owner of Urban Sea, and "Orpendale", a name used by the Coolmore Stud
organisation for some of their breeding interests. He was described as a three year old as being "one of the most impeccably bred horses in training".
Sadler's Wells (1981-2011) won three Group One
races in 1984 and went on to sire the winners of over 2,000 races including more than 130 at Group One
/Grade I
level. He was the most successful sire in the history of British racing being the leading Leading sire in Great Britain and Ireland a record fourteen times.
Urban Sea (1989-2009) won the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe
in 1993 and went on to become an outstanding broodmare. Apart from Galileo, she was the dam of the Derby winner Sea The Stars
, and the Grade I winners Black Sam Bellamy (Tattersalls Gold Cup
) and My Typhoon (Diana Stakes), as well as All Too Beautiful (Group race winner, Group One placed) and Melikah (Listed race winner, Group One placed).
Owned by Sue Magnier and Michael Tabor
, he was sent into training Aidan O'Brien
at Ballydoyle
and ridden in all but one of his races by Michael Kinane
.
He is one of several horses to have borne the name of Galileo. The most notable "other" Galileo was a Polish-bred gelding which won the Grade I RSA Novices' Hurdle at the 2002 Cheltenham Festival
.
. He was made the even-money favourite, despite the field containing two runners each from the stables of the leading Irish trainers John Oxx
and Jim Bolger
. Mick Kinane tracked the leaders on Galileo before sending the colt into the lead in the straight. Although there were less than two furlongs to the finish, Galileo was able to extend his lead fourteen lengths by the end of the race.
Ballysax Stakes
over a mile and a quarter at Leopardstown. Racing smoothly throughout the race, he took the lead two furlongs out and won "easily" by three and a half lengths. The performance was even better than it appeared at the time: the runner-up Milan went on to win the St Leger
and finish second in the Breeders' Cup Turf
, while the third-placed Vinnie Roe
won four consecutive Irish St Legers. After the race he was offered at odds of 8/1 for the Derby
. O'Brien was satisfied with the performance, especially as the colt was some way from peak fitness ("(my horses)...are as big as bulls") and likely to improve.
Galileo had his third race at Leopardstown in May as he was stepped up in class for the Group Two Derrinstown Stud Derby Trial
. He was made odds-on favourite, and was ridden for the first and only time by Seamus Heffernan, as Kinane was riding Milan in the Group One Prix Lupin
on the same day. Galileo took the lead a furlong from home and stayed on to beat the John Oxx-trained Exaltation by one and a half lengths. Although Heffernan had to put the colt under pressure before going clear, the colt's Derby odds were cut to 5-1.
. The 2001 Epsom Derby
field was strong, with Tobougg, the previous year's champion two-year old, and the winners of most of the major Derby trials including Mr Combustible (Chester Vase
), Dilshaan (Dante Stakes
) and Perfect Sunday (Lingfield Derby Trial
) all taking part. Kinane positioned Galileo just behind the leaders and turned into the straight in third behind Mr Combustible and Perfect Sunday. Two furlongs from the finish, Galileo moved past Mr Combustible and quickly went clear. Galileo stayed on strongly to record an "impressive" three and a half length victory over Golan, Tobougg and Mr Combustible. Following the race Timeform
assigned a figure of 130 to Galileo, making him, in their opinion, the best Derby winner for ten years. Kinane was reported to have called Galileo the best horse he had ridden, saying, "There is no weakness to him... He is a dream to ride."
In the Irish Derby at The Curragh
, three weeks later, Galileo was made favourite at odds of 4/11, with Golan and Exaltation the only other horses starting at less than 20/1. Galileo led two furlongs from the finish and quickly went clear. Although Kinane eased the colt down in the closing stages, he won by four lengths from the Derby Italiano
winner Morshdi, with Golan another four lengths back in third. Kinane, who was winning his first Irish Derby in seventeen attempts said that he was always in "complete control", while Morshdi's jockey, Philip Robinson
described the winner as "a freak".
Having proved himself easily the best of the three-year-olds, Galileo was then tested against older horses in the King George VI & Queen Elizabeth Diamond Stakes
at Ascot
in July. The betting suggested that the race would be a match between Galileo (1/2 favourite) and the Godolphin five year-old, Fantastic Light (7-2), who had won Group One races in four different countries. Such were the reputations of these two horses, that the third choice in the betting, the Prix du Jockey Club
winner Anabaa Blue, started at 18/1. Kinane took Galileo to the lead two furlongs out, but Frankie Dettori
soon brought Fantastic Light to challenge. The two horses raced together for a few strides before Galileo pulled ahead inside the final furlong and won by two lengths. Marcus Townend, writing in the Daily Mail
described Galileo as the best horse in Europe and praised his "determination" and "lightning acceleration."
in which he was matched against Fantastic Light again, this time over the shorter distance of one and a quarter miles. O'Brien entered Ice Dancer in the race to act as pacemaker and ensure a stamina test. The plan failed as the rest of the riders ignored Ice Dancer, who went ten lengths clear before stopping abruptly in the straight. Fantastic Light took the lead two furlongs out and Kinane immediately moved Galileo up to join him. The two horses raced side by side throughout the last quarter of the mile, with the advantage appearing to fluctuate between them. On the line, Fantastic Light defeated Galileo by a head in a photo finish. The race has been described as one of the most exciting and memorable in the modern history of the sport. O'Brien praised the winner, but felt that he had "messed up" tactically.
For his final race Galileo was sent to Belmont Park for the Breeders' Cup Classic
. He was racing on dirt for the first time, although before traveling he was prepared by exercising on the artificial surface at Southwell
. The Classic was expected to feature a third meeting between Galileo and Fantastic Light, but the Godolphin horse was switched to the Turf
shortly before the race. In the Classic Galileo raced behind the leaders for most of the way but was unable to quicken, staying on at the same pace to finish sixth of the fourteen runners behind Tiznow
.
Galileo's retirement was announced immediately after the race.
.
In the 2001 International Classification (the forerunner of the World Thoroughbred Racehorse Rankings
), Galileo was assessed at 129 (equal with Fantastic Light), making him the third highest rated horse behind Sakhee
and Point Given
.
Galileo was given a final Timeform
rating of 134.
. He has operated as a "shuttle" stallion, standing at Coolmore's main farm at Fethard, County Tipperary
Ireland during the Northern Hemisphere breeding season and moving to its Australian branch in the Hunter Valley
, New South Wales
for the Southern Hemisphere breeding season.
His 2008 fee for a live foal was reported to be 225,000 Euros. His 2009 stud fee was reduced to 175,000 Euros reflecting the general trend in stallion fees.
In September 2008, he underwent surgery for colic
As of 16 October 2011, he has sired twenty-six individual Group one
or Grade 1
winners worldwide, including Frankel
, New Approach
, Soldier of Fortune
, Rip Van Winkle
, Red Rocks
, Cape Blanco
, Teofilo
, Treasure Beach
, Nathaniel
and Lush Lashes
. To date, he has sired 100 stakes winners from only 7 crops of racing age.
Thoroughbred
The Thoroughbred is a horse breed best known for its use in horse racing. Although the word thoroughbred is sometimes used to refer to any breed of purebred horse, it technically refers only to the Thoroughbred breed...
racehorse and active sire. He is best known for winning the Epsom Derby
Epsom Derby
The Derby Stakes, popularly known as The Derby, internationally as the Epsom Derby, and under its present sponsor as the Investec Derby, is a Group 1 flat horse race in Great Britain open to three-year-old thoroughbred colts and fillies...
, Irish Derby Stakes
Irish Derby Stakes
The Irish Derby is a Group 1 flat horse race in Ireland open to three-year-old thoroughbred colts and fillies. It is run at the Curragh over a distance of 1 mile and 4 furlongs , and it is scheduled to take place each year in late June or early July.It is Ireland's equivalent of the Epsom Derby,...
, and King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes in 2001 and for his rivalry with the Godolphin champion Fantastic Light
Fantastic Light
Fantastic Light is a retired Thoroughbred racehorse and active sire. He was foaled in the United States but was trained in England and Dubai during his racing career, which ran from August 1998 to his retirement following the Breeders' Cup Turf on October 2001...
. Since his retirement he has become known as a prolific and successful sire of racehorses.
Background
Galileo is a 16.0½ handHand (unit)
The hand is a non-SI unit of measurement of length, now used only for the measurement of the height of horses in some English-speaking countries, including Australia, Canada, the UK and the USA. With origins in ancient Egypt, it was originally based on the breadth of a human hand...
(1.63 m) high bay horse with a narrow white blaze
Horse markings
Markings on horses usually are distinctive white areas on an otherwise dark base coat color. Most horses have some markings, and they help to identify the horse as a unique individual. Markings are present at birth and do not change over the course of the horse's life...
and a white sock on his near hind leg. He was sired by Sadler's Wells
Sadler's Wells (horse)
Sadler's Wells was a Thoroughbred racehorse that was later a leading sire in France, Great Britain & Ireland and North America during the 1990s. He was foaled in 1981 in the United States, but achieved most of his racing and breeding fame in Europe....
out of the mare Urban Sea
Urban Sea
Urban Sea was a French Thoroughbred racemare best known for winning France's most prestigious race in 1993 and for her importance as a world class broodmare. She is one of only two mares to ever produce two Epsom Derby winners, namely Galileo and Sea the Stars...
. His breeders were David Tsui, the owner of Urban Sea, and "Orpendale", a name used by the Coolmore Stud
Coolmore Stud
Coolmore Stud, in Fethard, South Tipperary in Ireland, is the world's largest breeding operation of thoroughbred racehorses. It was established in 1975....
organisation for some of their breeding interests. He was described as a three year old as being "one of the most impeccably bred horses in training".
Sadler's Wells (1981-2011) won three Group One
Conditions races
Conditions races are horse races where the weights carried by the runners are laid down by the conditions attached to the race. Weights are allocated according to; the sex of the runners, with female runners carrying less weight than males; the age of the runners, with younger horses receiving...
races in 1984 and went on to sire the winners of over 2,000 races including more than 130 at Group One
Conditions races
Conditions races are horse races where the weights carried by the runners are laid down by the conditions attached to the race. Weights are allocated according to; the sex of the runners, with female runners carrying less weight than males; the age of the runners, with younger horses receiving...
/Grade I
Graded stakes race
A graded stakes race is a term applied since 1973 by the American Graded Stakes Committee of the Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association to thoroughbred horse races in the United States and Canada to describe races that derive their name from the stake, or entry fee, owners must pay...
level. He was the most successful sire in the history of British racing being the leading Leading sire in Great Britain and Ireland a record fourteen times.
Urban Sea (1989-2009) won the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe
Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe
The Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe is a Group 1 flat horse race in France which is open to thoroughbreds aged three years or older. It is run at Longchamp over a distance of 2,400 metres , and it is scheduled to take place each year, usually on the first Sunday in October.Popularly referred to as the...
in 1993 and went on to become an outstanding broodmare. Apart from Galileo, she was the dam of the Derby winner Sea The Stars
Sea the Stars
Sea The Stars is a champion Irish Thoroughbred colt racehorse. Regarded by many as one of the greatest racehorses of all time, he is best known for winning the 2,000 Guineas, the Epsom Derby, the Eclipse Stakes, - the first colt to accomplish this treble since 1989 champion Nashwan - the...
, and the Grade I winners Black Sam Bellamy (Tattersalls Gold Cup
Tattersalls Gold Cup
The Tattersalls Gold Cup is a Group 1 flat horse race in Ireland open to thoroughbreds aged four years or older. It is run at the Curragh over a distance of 1 mile, 2 furlongs and 110 yards , and it is scheduled to take place each year in May....
) and My Typhoon (Diana Stakes), as well as All Too Beautiful (Group race winner, Group One placed) and Melikah (Listed race winner, Group One placed).
Owned by Sue Magnier and Michael Tabor
Michael Tabor
Michael B. Tabor is a businessman and owner of Thoroughbred racehorses.-Thoroughbred racing career:...
, he was sent into training Aidan O'Brien
Aidan O'Brien
Aidan Patrick O'Brien is an Irish horse racing trainer. Since 1996, he has been the private trainer at Ballydoyle Stables near Cashel in County Tipperary for John Magnier and his Coolmore Stud associates....
at Ballydoyle
Ballydoyle
Ballydoyle is a racehorse training facility located in County Tipperary in Ireland. It is a sister thoroughbred facility to Coolmore Stud, and both are owned by John Magnier...
and ridden in all but one of his races by Michael Kinane
Michael Kinane
Michael J. Kinane is a former flat racing jockey. He had a 34-year career, retiring on 8 December 2009....
.
He is one of several horses to have borne the name of Galileo. The most notable "other" Galileo was a Polish-bred gelding which won the Grade I RSA Novices' Hurdle at the 2002 Cheltenham Festival
Cheltenham Festival
The Cheltenham Festival is one of the most prestigious meetings in the National Hunt racing calendar in the United Kingdom, and has race prize money second only to the Grand National...
.
2000: two-year-old career
Galileo did not appear on the racecourse until late October 2000, when he was entered in a sixteen runner maiden race at LeopardstownLeopardstown Racecourse
Leopardstown Racecourse is an Irish horse-racing venue. Like the majority of Irish courses, it hosts both National Hunt and Flat racing. Located in Leopardstown, County Dublin, 8km south of the Dublin city centre. The course was built by Captain George Quin and modeled on Sandown Park Racecourse...
. He was made the even-money favourite, despite the field containing two runners each from the stables of the leading Irish trainers John Oxx
John Oxx
John M. Oxx is a trainer of Thoroughbred racehorses. His stables are located on "The Curragh" of Kildare, the stables are named Currabeg Stables. His father, John Oxx Sr., was also a very successful trainer who won eight Irish classics and it was the younger Oxx's ambition to follow in his...
and Jim Bolger
Jim Bolger (racehorse trainer)
James S. "Jim" Bolger is an Thoroughbred racehorse trainer and breeder based in Coolcullen in County Kilkenny. For many years now he has been recognised as one of the racing greats in Ireland...
. Mick Kinane tracked the leaders on Galileo before sending the colt into the lead in the straight. Although there were less than two furlongs to the finish, Galileo was able to extend his lead fourteen lengths by the end of the race.
Spring
As a three-year-old, Galileo was conditioned for a middle distance campaign, and was aimed at Derby trial races in spring. On his debut he was made 1/3 favourite for the ListedConditions races
Conditions races are horse races where the weights carried by the runners are laid down by the conditions attached to the race. Weights are allocated according to; the sex of the runners, with female runners carrying less weight than males; the age of the runners, with younger horses receiving...
Ballysax Stakes
Ballysax Stakes
The Ballysax Stakes is a Group 3 flat horse race in Ireland which is open to three-year-old thoroughbreds. It is run at Leopardstown over a distance of 1 mile and 2 furlongs , and it is scheduled to take place each year in April....
over a mile and a quarter at Leopardstown. Racing smoothly throughout the race, he took the lead two furlongs out and won "easily" by three and a half lengths. The performance was even better than it appeared at the time: the runner-up Milan went on to win the St Leger
St. Leger Stakes
The St. Leger Stakes is a Group 1 flat horse race in Great Britain which is open to three-year-old thoroughbred colts and fillies. It is run at Doncaster over a distance of 1 mile, 6 furlongs and 132 yards , and it is scheduled to take place each year in September.Established in 1776, the St. Leger...
and finish second in the Breeders' Cup Turf
Breeders' Cup Turf
The Breeders' Cup Turf is a Weight for Age Thoroughbred horse race on turf for three-year-olds and up. It is held annually at a different racetrack in the United States or Canada as part of the Breeders' Cup World Championships. The race's current title sponsor is Emirates Airlines.The forerunner...
, while the third-placed Vinnie Roe
Vinnie Roe
Vinnie Roe is a retired Irish Thoroughbred racehorse and active sire. He won the Irish St. Leger for four years in succession and was named European Champion Stayer in the Cartier Racing Awards for 2002. He also became known internationally for his three attempts to win the Melbourne Cup in which...
won four consecutive Irish St Legers. After the race he was offered at odds of 8/1 for the Derby
Epsom Derby
The Derby Stakes, popularly known as The Derby, internationally as the Epsom Derby, and under its present sponsor as the Investec Derby, is a Group 1 flat horse race in Great Britain open to three-year-old thoroughbred colts and fillies...
. O'Brien was satisfied with the performance, especially as the colt was some way from peak fitness ("(my horses)...are as big as bulls") and likely to improve.
Galileo had his third race at Leopardstown in May as he was stepped up in class for the Group Two Derrinstown Stud Derby Trial
Derrinstown Stud Derby Trial
The Derrinstown Stud Derby Trial is a Group 2 flat horse race in Ireland open to three-year-old thoroughbreds. It is run at Leopardstown over a distance of 1 mile and 2 furlongs , and it is scheduled to take place each year in May.-History:...
. He was made odds-on favourite, and was ridden for the first and only time by Seamus Heffernan, as Kinane was riding Milan in the Group One Prix Lupin
Prix Lupin
The Prix Lupin was a Group 1 flat horse race in France which was open to three-year-old thoroughbred colts and fillies. It was run at Longchamp over a distance of 2,100 metres , and it was scheduled to take place each year in May....
on the same day. Galileo took the lead a furlong from home and stayed on to beat the John Oxx-trained Exaltation by one and a half lengths. Although Heffernan had to put the colt under pressure before going clear, the colt's Derby odds were cut to 5-1.
Summer
At Epsom Galileo started 11/4 joint-favourite alongside the 2,000 Guineas winner GolanGolan (horse)
Golan is a retired thoroughbred racehorse and active sire who was bred in Ireland but trained in the United Kingdom throughout his racing career, which lasted from 2000 to 2002. He won the 2,000 Guineas in 2001 and King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Diamond Stakes in 2002...
. The 2001 Epsom Derby
2001 Epsom Derby
The 2001 Epsom Derby was a horse race which took place at Epsom Downs on Saturday June 9, 2001. It was the 222nd running of the Derby, and it was won by the pre-race joint favourite Galileo. The winner was ridden by Michael Kinane and trained by Aidan O'Brien...
field was strong, with Tobougg, the previous year's champion two-year old, and the winners of most of the major Derby trials including Mr Combustible (Chester Vase
Chester Vase
The Chester Vase is a Group 3 flat horse race in Great Britain open to three-year-old thoroughbred colts and geldings. It is run at Chester over a distance of 1 mile, 4 furlongs and 66 yards , and it is scheduled to take place each year in May....
), Dilshaan (Dante Stakes
Dante Stakes
The Dante Stakes is a Group 2 flat horse race in Great Britain open to three-year-old thoroughbreds. It is run at York over a distance of 1 mile, 2 furlongs and 88 yards , and it is scheduled to take place each year in May....
) and Perfect Sunday (Lingfield Derby Trial
Lingfield Derby Trial
The Lingfield Derby Trial is a Group 3 flat horse race in Great Britain open to three-year-old thoroughbred colts and geldings. It is run at Lingfield Park over a distance of 1 mile, 3 furlongs and 106 yards , and it is scheduled to take place each year in May.The event was established in 1932, and...
) all taking part. Kinane positioned Galileo just behind the leaders and turned into the straight in third behind Mr Combustible and Perfect Sunday. Two furlongs from the finish, Galileo moved past Mr Combustible and quickly went clear. Galileo stayed on strongly to record an "impressive" three and a half length victory over Golan, Tobougg and Mr Combustible. Following the race Timeform
Timeform
Timeform Publications is a publishing company in Halifax, West Yorkshire, England founded in 1948 to provide information to fans, bettors, and others involved in the horse racing industry...
assigned a figure of 130 to Galileo, making him, in their opinion, the best Derby winner for ten years. Kinane was reported to have called Galileo the best horse he had ridden, saying, "There is no weakness to him... He is a dream to ride."
In the Irish Derby at The Curragh
Curragh Racecourse
The Curragh Racecourse, usually abbreviated to The Curragh, is Ireland's most important Thoroughbred race track. It is situated on the Curragh plain near Newbridge, County Kildare, Ireland.- History :...
, three weeks later, Galileo was made favourite at odds of 4/11, with Golan and Exaltation the only other horses starting at less than 20/1. Galileo led two furlongs from the finish and quickly went clear. Although Kinane eased the colt down in the closing stages, he won by four lengths from the Derby Italiano
Derby Italiano
The Derby Italiano is a Group 2 flat horse race in Italy open to three-year-old thoroughbred colts and fillies. It is run at Capannelle over a distance of 2,200 metres , and it is scheduled to take place each year in May....
winner Morshdi, with Golan another four lengths back in third. Kinane, who was winning his first Irish Derby in seventeen attempts said that he was always in "complete control", while Morshdi's jockey, Philip Robinson
Philip P. Robinson
Philip Peter Robinson is an English flat racing jockey.The son of Peter Robinson, a jockey and trainer, he rode his first winner in 1978 at Great Yarmouth. He was British flat racing Champion Apprentice in 1979 and 1980. One of his most famous victories was his win on Pebbles, trained by Clive...
described the winner as "a freak".
Having proved himself easily the best of the three-year-olds, Galileo was then tested against older horses in the King George VI & Queen Elizabeth Diamond Stakes
King George VI & Queen Elizabeth Diamond Stakes
The King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes is a Group 1 flat horse race in Great Britain open to thoroughbreds aged three years or older. It is run at Ascot over a distance of 1 mile and 4 furlongs , and it is scheduled to take place each year in July.It's Britain's most prestigious open-age...
at Ascot
Ascot Racecourse
Ascot Racecourse is a famous English racecourse, located in the small town of Ascot, Berkshire, used for thoroughbred horse racing. It is one of the leading racecourses in the United Kingdom, hosting 9 of the UK's 32 annual Group 1 races...
in July. The betting suggested that the race would be a match between Galileo (1/2 favourite) and the Godolphin five year-old, Fantastic Light (7-2), who had won Group One races in four different countries. Such were the reputations of these two horses, that the third choice in the betting, the Prix du Jockey Club
Prix du Jockey Club
The Prix du Jockey Club, sometimes referred to as the French Derby, is a Group 1 flat horse race in France open to three-year-old thoroughbred colts and fillies...
winner Anabaa Blue, started at 18/1. Kinane took Galileo to the lead two furlongs out, but Frankie Dettori
Frankie Dettori
Lanfranco "Frankie" Dettori, MBE is an Italian horse racing jockey and celebrity. Dettori has been Champion Jockey on three occasions and has ridden the winners of more than 500 Group races.. He has had many successes in his role of stable jockey to Godolphin Racing...
soon brought Fantastic Light to challenge. The two horses raced together for a few strides before Galileo pulled ahead inside the final furlong and won by two lengths. Marcus Townend, writing in the Daily Mail
Daily Mail
The Daily Mail is a British daily middle-market tabloid newspaper owned by the Daily Mail and General Trust. First published in 1896 by Lord Northcliffe, it is the United Kingdom's second biggest-selling daily newspaper after The Sun. Its sister paper The Mail on Sunday was launched in 1982...
described Galileo as the best horse in Europe and praised his "determination" and "lightning acceleration."
Autumn
Galileo returned to Leopardstown in September for a much-anticipated Irish Champion StakesIrish Champion Stakes
The Irish Champion Stakes is a Group 1 flat horse race in Ireland which is open to thoroughbreds aged three years or older. It is run at Leopardstown over a distance of 1 mile and 2 furlongs , and it is scheduled to take place each year in September.-History:The event was established in 1976, and...
in which he was matched against Fantastic Light again, this time over the shorter distance of one and a quarter miles. O'Brien entered Ice Dancer in the race to act as pacemaker and ensure a stamina test. The plan failed as the rest of the riders ignored Ice Dancer, who went ten lengths clear before stopping abruptly in the straight. Fantastic Light took the lead two furlongs out and Kinane immediately moved Galileo up to join him. The two horses raced side by side throughout the last quarter of the mile, with the advantage appearing to fluctuate between them. On the line, Fantastic Light defeated Galileo by a head in a photo finish. The race has been described as one of the most exciting and memorable in the modern history of the sport. O'Brien praised the winner, but felt that he had "messed up" tactically.
For his final race Galileo was sent to Belmont Park for the Breeders' Cup Classic
Breeders' Cup Classic
The Breeders' Cup Classic is a Grade I Weight for Age thoroughbred horse race for 3 year olds and older run at a distance of 1¼ miles on dirt. It is held annually at a different racetrack as part of the Breeders' Cup World Championships...
. He was racing on dirt for the first time, although before traveling he was prepared by exercising on the artificial surface at Southwell
Southwell Racecourse
Southwell Racecourse is a thoroughbred horse racing venue located near Newark-on-Trent, Nottinghamshire, England. It is one of only five racecourses in the UK to have an all-weather track...
. The Classic was expected to feature a third meeting between Galileo and Fantastic Light, but the Godolphin horse was switched to the Turf
Breeders' Cup Turf
The Breeders' Cup Turf is a Weight for Age Thoroughbred horse race on turf for three-year-olds and up. It is held annually at a different racetrack in the United States or Canada as part of the Breeders' Cup World Championships. The race's current title sponsor is Emirates Airlines.The forerunner...
shortly before the race. In the Classic Galileo raced behind the leaders for most of the way but was unable to quicken, staying on at the same pace to finish sixth of the fourteen runners behind Tiznow
Tiznow
Tiznow is an American Thoroughbred Hall of Fame racehorse owned by Michael L. Cooper and Cee's Stable.-Pedigree:...
.
Galileo's retirement was announced immediately after the race.
Race record
| Date | Race | Dist (f) | Course | Class | Prize (£K) | Odds | Runners | Placing | Margin | Time | Jockey | Trainer |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| IBEC EBF Maiden | 8 | Leopardstown Leopardstown Racecourse Leopardstown Racecourse is an Irish horse-racing venue. Like the majority of Irish courses, it hosts both National Hunt and Flat racing. Located in Leopardstown, County Dublin, 8km south of the Dublin city centre. The course was built by Captain George Quin and modeled on Sandown Park Racecourse... |
M | 8 | Evens | 16 | 1 | 14 | 1:48.20 | Michael Kinane Michael Kinane Michael J. Kinane is a former flat racing jockey. He had a 34-year career, retiring on 8 December 2009.... |
Aidan O'Brien Aidan O'Brien Aidan Patrick O'Brien is an Irish horse racing trainer. Since 1996, he has been the private trainer at Ballydoyle Stables near Cashel in County Tipperary for John Magnier and his Coolmore Stud associates.... |
|
| Ballysax Stakes Ballysax Stakes The Ballysax Stakes is a Group 3 flat horse race in Ireland which is open to three-year-old thoroughbreds. It is run at Leopardstown over a distance of 1 mile and 2 furlongs , and it is scheduled to take place each year in April.... |
10 | Leopardstown Leopardstown Racecourse Leopardstown Racecourse is an Irish horse-racing venue. Like the majority of Irish courses, it hosts both National Hunt and Flat racing. Located in Leopardstown, County Dublin, 8km south of the Dublin city centre. The course was built by Captain George Quin and modeled on Sandown Park Racecourse... |
L | 20 | 1/3 | 7 | 1 | 3.5 | 2:20.10 | Michael Kinane Michael Kinane Michael J. Kinane is a former flat racing jockey. He had a 34-year career, retiring on 8 December 2009.... |
Aidan O'Brien Aidan O'Brien Aidan Patrick O'Brien is an Irish horse racing trainer. Since 1996, he has been the private trainer at Ballydoyle Stables near Cashel in County Tipperary for John Magnier and his Coolmore Stud associates.... |
|
| Derrinstown Stud Derby Trial Derrinstown Stud Derby Trial The Derrinstown Stud Derby Trial is a Group 2 flat horse race in Ireland open to three-year-old thoroughbreds. It is run at Leopardstown over a distance of 1 mile and 2 furlongs , and it is scheduled to take place each year in May.-History:... |
10 | Leopardstown Leopardstown Racecourse Leopardstown Racecourse is an Irish horse-racing venue. Like the majority of Irish courses, it hosts both National Hunt and Flat racing. Located in Leopardstown, County Dublin, 8km south of the Dublin city centre. The course was built by Captain George Quin and modeled on Sandown Park Racecourse... |
3 | 39 | 8/15 | 5 | 1 | 1.5 | 2:08.50 | Seamus Heffernan | Aidan O'Brien Aidan O'Brien Aidan Patrick O'Brien is an Irish horse racing trainer. Since 1996, he has been the private trainer at Ballydoyle Stables near Cashel in County Tipperary for John Magnier and his Coolmore Stud associates.... |
|
| Derby Epsom Derby The Derby Stakes, popularly known as The Derby, internationally as the Epsom Derby, and under its present sponsor as the Investec Derby, is a Group 1 flat horse race in Great Britain open to three-year-old thoroughbred colts and fillies... |
12 | Epsom Epsom Downs Racecourse Epsom Downs is a Grade 1 racecourse near Epsom, Surrey, England. The "downs" referred to in the name are part of the North Downs. The course is best known for hosting the Epsom Derby, the United Kingdom's premier thoroughbred horse race for three-year-old colts and fillies, over a mile and a half... |
1 | 580 | 11/4 | 12 | 1 | 3.5 | 2:33.27 | Michael Kinane Michael Kinane Michael J. Kinane is a former flat racing jockey. He had a 34-year career, retiring on 8 December 2009.... |
Aidan O'Brien Aidan O'Brien Aidan Patrick O'Brien is an Irish horse racing trainer. Since 1996, he has been the private trainer at Ballydoyle Stables near Cashel in County Tipperary for John Magnier and his Coolmore Stud associates.... |
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| Irish Derby | 12 | The Curragh Curragh Racecourse The Curragh Racecourse, usually abbreviated to The Curragh, is Ireland's most important Thoroughbred race track. It is situated on the Curragh plain near Newbridge, County Kildare, Ireland.- History :... |
1 | 411 | 4/11 | 12 | 1 | 4 | 2:27.10 | Michael Kinane Michael Kinane Michael J. Kinane is a former flat racing jockey. He had a 34-year career, retiring on 8 December 2009.... |
Aidan O'Brien Aidan O'Brien Aidan Patrick O'Brien is an Irish horse racing trainer. Since 1996, he has been the private trainer at Ballydoyle Stables near Cashel in County Tipperary for John Magnier and his Coolmore Stud associates.... |
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| King George VI & Queen Elizabeth Stakes | 12 | Ascot Ascot Racecourse Ascot Racecourse is a famous English racecourse, located in the small town of Ascot, Berkshire, used for thoroughbred horse racing. It is one of the leading racecourses in the United Kingdom, hosting 9 of the UK's 32 annual Group 1 races... |
1 | 435 | 1/2 | 12 | 1 | 2 | 2:27.71 | Michael Kinane Michael Kinane Michael J. Kinane is a former flat racing jockey. He had a 34-year career, retiring on 8 December 2009.... |
Aidan O'Brien Aidan O'Brien Aidan Patrick O'Brien is an Irish horse racing trainer. Since 1996, he has been the private trainer at Ballydoyle Stables near Cashel in County Tipperary for John Magnier and his Coolmore Stud associates.... |
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| Irish Champion Stakes Irish Champion Stakes The Irish Champion Stakes is a Group 1 flat horse race in Ireland which is open to thoroughbreds aged three years or older. It is run at Leopardstown over a distance of 1 mile and 2 furlongs , and it is scheduled to take place each year in September.-History:The event was established in 1976, and... |
10 | Leopardstown Leopardstown Racecourse Leopardstown Racecourse is an Irish horse-racing venue. Like the majority of Irish courses, it hosts both National Hunt and Flat racing. Located in Leopardstown, County Dublin, 8km south of the Dublin city centre. The course was built by Captain George Quin and modeled on Sandown Park Racecourse... |
1 | 384 | 4/11 | 7 | 2 | Head | 2:01.80 | Michael Kinane Michael Kinane Michael J. Kinane is a former flat racing jockey. He had a 34-year career, retiring on 8 December 2009.... |
Aidan O'Brien Aidan O'Brien Aidan Patrick O'Brien is an Irish horse racing trainer. Since 1996, he has been the private trainer at Ballydoyle Stables near Cashel in County Tipperary for John Magnier and his Coolmore Stud associates.... |
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| Breeders' Cup Classic Breeders' Cup Classic The Breeders' Cup Classic is a Grade I Weight for Age thoroughbred horse race for 3 year olds and older run at a distance of 1¼ miles on dirt. It is held annually at a different racetrack as part of the Breeders' Cup World Championships... |
10 | Belmont Park Belmont Park Belmont Park is a major thoroughbred horse-racing facility located in Elmont in the Town of Hempstead in Nassau County, New York, on Long Island adjoining New York City. It first opened on May 4, 1905... |
1 | 1386 | 100/30 | 13 | 6 | 7.75 | 2:00.62 | Michael Kinane Michael Kinane Michael J. Kinane is a former flat racing jockey. He had a 34-year career, retiring on 8 December 2009.... |
Aidan O'Brien Aidan O'Brien Aidan Patrick O'Brien is an Irish horse racing trainer. Since 1996, he has been the private trainer at Ballydoyle Stables near Cashel in County Tipperary for John Magnier and his Coolmore Stud associates.... |
.
Assessment
Galileo was named European Champion Three-Year-Old at the Cartier Racing Awards.In the 2001 International Classification (the forerunner of the World Thoroughbred Racehorse Rankings
World Thoroughbred Racehorse Rankings
The World Thoroughbred Racehorse Rankings are compiled by the International Federation of Horseracing Authorities , an organization established in 2003 with headquarters in Paris, France made up of members from around the world....
), Galileo was assessed at 129 (equal with Fantastic Light), making him the third highest rated horse behind Sakhee
Sakhee
Sakhee is a British Thoroughbred racehorse. Bred by the racing interests of Dubai's Sheikh Hamdan al Maktoum, his sire Bahri was almost exclusively a miler who won two Group One races at that distance...
and Point Given
Point Given
Point Given is an American Hall of Fame champion racehorse foaled on March 27, 1998 in Kentucky. As a three-year-old, he won the 2001 Preakness Stakes and Belmont Stakes, along with the Eclipse Award for Horse of the Year...
.
Galileo was given a final Timeform
Timeform
Timeform Publications is a publishing company in Halifax, West Yorkshire, England founded in 1948 to provide information to fans, bettors, and others involved in the horse racing industry...
rating of 134.
Stud career
Galileo was retired to stand as a stallion for the Coolmore StudCoolmore Stud
Coolmore Stud, in Fethard, South Tipperary in Ireland, is the world's largest breeding operation of thoroughbred racehorses. It was established in 1975....
. He has operated as a "shuttle" stallion, standing at Coolmore's main farm at Fethard, County Tipperary
County Tipperary
County Tipperary is a county of Ireland. It is located in the province of Munster and is named after the town of Tipperary. The area of the county does not have a single local authority; local government is split between two authorities. In North Tipperary, part of the Mid-West Region, local...
Ireland during the Northern Hemisphere breeding season and moving to its Australian branch in the Hunter Valley
Hunter Valley
The Hunter Region, more commonly known as the Hunter Valley, is a region of New South Wales, Australia, extending from approximately to north of Sydney with an approximate population of 645,395 people. Most of the population of the Hunter Region lives within of the coast, with 55% of the entire...
, New South Wales
New South Wales
New South Wales is a state of :Australia, located in the east of the country. It is bordered by Queensland, Victoria and South Australia to the north, south and west respectively. To the east, the state is bordered by the Tasman Sea, which forms part of the Pacific Ocean. New South Wales...
for the Southern Hemisphere breeding season.
His 2008 fee for a live foal was reported to be 225,000 Euros. His 2009 stud fee was reduced to 175,000 Euros reflecting the general trend in stallion fees.
In September 2008, he underwent surgery for colic
As of 16 October 2011, he has sired twenty-six individual Group one
Group One
Group One or Group 1 is the term used for the highest level of Thoroughbred and Standardbred stakes races in many countries. Group One races may be run under handicap conditions in Australia but in Europe weight-for-age conditions always apply. Races may be also restricted to age groups or a...
or Grade 1
Graded stakes race
A graded stakes race is a term applied since 1973 by the American Graded Stakes Committee of the Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association to thoroughbred horse races in the United States and Canada to describe races that derive their name from the stake, or entry fee, owners must pay...
winners worldwide, including Frankel
Frankel (horse)
Frankel is a thoroughbred colt racehorse bred by Juddmonte Farms, trained by Sir Henry Cecil and owned by Prince Khalid Abdulla. Named after the renowned and late American trainer Bobby Frankel, Frankel is unbeaten in nine races and is officially rated as the best racehorse in the world...
, New Approach
New Approach
New Approach is a retired Irish Thoroughbred racehorse and active stallion. He won the 2008 Epsom Derby, and was rated the best racehorse in the world in the 2008 World Thoroughbred Racehorse Rankings....
, Soldier of Fortune
Soldier of Fortune (horse)
Soldier of Fortune is a Thoroughbred racehorse who won the 2007 Group One Irish Derby Stakes as well as important races in France, and who in 2008 won the Group One Coronation Cup....
, Rip Van Winkle
Rip Van Winkle (horse)
Rip Van Winkle is an Irish Thoroughbred racehorse sired by the great dual Derby winner Gallieo. Like his sire Rip Van Winkle was also trained by Aidan O'Brien.-2008: two-year-old season:...
, Red Rocks
Red Rocks (horse)
Red Rocks is a Thoroughbred racehorse who competes internationally. Regally bred by Ballylinch Stud in County Kilkenny, he was sired by Galileo, a son of the fourteen-time Champion sire in Great Britain & Ireland, Sadler's Wells...
, Cape Blanco
Cape Blanco (horse)
Cape Blanco is an Irish Thoroughbred racehorse who won five Group One/Grade I races between 2009 and 2011. In addition, he also won twice at Group 2 level and once at Group 3 level between 2009 and 2010.-Background:...
, Teofilo
Teofilo (horse)
Teofilo is a retired Thoroughbred racehorse and active stallion who was bred and trained in Ireland. He is best known for being the European Champion Two-Year-Old of 2006, and retiring undefeated after five starts. He won two Group One races: the National Stakes in Ireland and the Dewhurst Stakes...
, Treasure Beach
Treasure Beach (horse)
Treasure Beach is an Irish Thoroughbred racehorse and winner of the 2011 Irish Derby. He was ridden by Colm O'Donoghue and trained by Aidan O'Brien.-External Links:*...
, Nathaniel
Nathaniel (horse)
Nathaniel is a thoroughbred colt racehorse trained by John Gosden for Lady Rothschild. Sired by the extremely important Champion Sire Galileo, out of the mare Magnificent Style, , Nathaniel is a half-brother of Playful Act...
and Lush Lashes
Lush Lashes
Lush Lashes is a thoroughbred filly that won the Coronation Stakes at Royal Ascot and the Musidora Stakes in York in 2008. She is owned and trained by Jim Bolger and was sired by Galileo out of Dance For Fun....
. To date, he has sired 100 stakes winners from only 7 crops of racing age.