Galileo (horse)
Galileo | |
---|---|
Leading broodmare sire in Great Britain & Ireland (2020, 2021) (2022)British Champions Series Hall of Fame Timeform rating: 134 | |
Last updated on 21 July 2021 |
Galileo (30 March 1998 – 10 July 2021) was an Irish
After his retirement, Galileo was one of the most sought-after sires in the world. He first became the leading sire in Great Britain and Ireland in 2008, then consecutively earned the title from 2010–2020. In 2020, he set the record for the number of Epsom Derby winners sired at five: New Approach, Ruler Of The World, Australia, Anthony Van Dyck and Serpentine. In June 2020, Galileo sired his 85th Group 1 winner, breaking Danehill's world record and becoming the most successful source of Group 1 winners in thoroughbred history.[1] In addition to his Derby winners, his notable offspring include Frankel, Nathaniel, Found, Churchill and Minding. He was also a leading broodmare sire.
Galileo was euthanized on 10 July 2021, after a debilitating injury to his near foreleg which failed to heal after surgery earlier that year.[2]
Background
Galileo was a 16 1⁄2
Sadler's Wells won three
Owned by
Galileo was known for his relaxed behaviour and even temperament. Noel Stapleton, his long-time handler at Coolmore Stud, called him a creature of habit: "He is a true gentleman, and I think he knows how important he is."[8] O'Brien noted that Galileo "prowled" when asked to walk: "Most horses when you ask them to go forward, up goes the head and they walk up, but he used to walk forward and walk out. His walking stride was so long and there was so much power from his front and back."[9]
He was 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
Racing career
2000: two-year-old career
Galileo's two-year-old debut was delayed by a cough that he developed over the summer of 2000.[9] He did not appear on the racecourse until 28 October, in a sixteen-runner maiden race at Leopardstown. 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. Kinane tracked the leaders before sending the colt into the lead in the straight and extending his lead to fourteen lengths by the finish.[11]
2001: three-year-old career
Spring
Galileo was conditioned for a middle-distance campaign and aimed at Derby trial races in late spring.
Galileo was stepped up in class for the Group Three Derrinstown Stud Derby Trial at Leopardstown in May. The odds-on favourite, he was ridden for the first and only time by Seamie Heffernan, as Kinane was riding Milan in the Group One Prix Lupin on the same day.[14] Galileo beat the John Oxx-trained Exaltation by one and a half lengths.[15] Although Heffernan put Galileo under pressure before going clear, the colt's Derby odds were cut from 8–1 to 5–1.[16]
Summer
At Epsom, Galileo started 11/4 joint-favourite with
In the Irish Derby at
Galileo was then tested against older horses in the
Autumn
Galileo returned to Leopardstown in September for a much-anticipated[23] Irish Champion Stakes against Fantastic Light again, this time over the shorter distance of one and a quarter miles. O'Brien's Ice Dancer was 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 and Galileo raced side by side, with the former winning by a head.[24] The race has been described as one of the most exciting and memorable in the modern history of the sport.[25] O'Brien praised the winner but felt that he himself had "messed up" tactically.[26]
For his final race, Galileo was sent to Belmont Park for the Breeders' Cup Classic. He would be racing on dirt for the first time, although he was prepared by exercising on the artificial surface at Southwell.[27] In the Classic, Galileo finished sixth of the fourteen runners behind Tiznow.[28]
"With the benefit of hindsight", O'Brien later recalled, "it was an unrealistic target to ask him to do that after having such a tough season and racing against the older horses, but it was the belief that was in him, the belief that everyone had in him, that we thought it could be possible that it could happen. I remember when he came in, he was after trying so hard he was almost crying. He was so genuine."[9]
Galileo's retirement was announced immediately after the race.[29]
Race record
Date | Race | Dist (f) | Course | Class | Prize (£K) | Odds | Runners | Placing | Margin | Time | Jockey | Trainer |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
28 October 2000 | IBEC EBF Maiden | 8 | Leopardstown | M | 8 | Evens | 16 | 1 | 14 | 1:48.20 | Michael Kinane | Aidan O'Brien |
16 April 2001 | Ballysax Stakes | 10 | Leopardstown | L | 20 | 1/3 | 7 | 1 | 3.5 | 2:20.10 | Michael Kinane | Aidan O'Brien |
13 May 2001 | Derrinstown Stud Derby Trial | 10 | Leopardstown | 3 | 39 | 8/15 | 5 | 1 | 1.5 | 2:08.50 | Seamie Heffernan | Aidan O'Brien |
9 June 2001 | Derby | 12 | Epsom | 1 | 580 | 11/4 | 12 | 1 | 3.5 | 2:33.27 | Michael Kinane | Aidan O'Brien |
1 July 2001 | Irish Derby | 12 | The Curragh | 1 | 411 | 4/11 | 12 | 1 | 4 | 2:27.10 | Michael Kinane | Aidan O'Brien |
28 July 2001 | King George VI & Queen Elizabeth Stakes
|
12 | Ascot | 1 | 435 | 1/2 | 12 | 1 | 2 | 2:27.71 | Michael Kinane | Aidan O'Brien |
8 September 2001 | Irish Champion Stakes | 10 | Leopardstown | 1 | 384 | 4/11 | 7 | 2 | Head | 2:01.80 | Michael Kinane | Aidan O'Brien |
27 October 2001 | Breeders' Cup Classic | 10 | Belmont Park | 1 | 1386 | 100/30 | 13 | 6 | 7.75 | 2:00.62 | Michael Kinane | Aidan O'Brien |
Assessment
Galileo was named European Champion Three-Year-Old at the
In the 2001 International Classification (the forerunner of the
Galileo was given a final Timeform rating of 134.[31]
Stud career
Galileo was retired to stand as a stallion for the
Galileo earned his first title as the leading sire in Great Britain and Ireland in 2008 thanks to his first Derby winner New Approach. He regained the title in 2010 when Frankel made his debut, and repeated in 2011 through 2020 inclusive.[8][33][34][2] Since 2008, his stud fee was privately negotiated, but in 2018 he was reputed to be the most expensive stallion in the world. For breeders who were not associates of Coolmore Stud, the fee had "long been north of €400,000" and was suggested to be as high as €600,000.[35] At the height of his stud career, Galileo generated an estimated €40 million per year in stud fees for Coolmore.[36]
At the time of his death on 10 July 2021, he had sired 338 stakes winners, 228 of which were group winners.[9] In August 2018, Sizzling gave Galileo his 328th European group race win as a sire, taking him past the record previously held by his own sire Sadler's Wells.[37]
On 9 November 2019, Magic Wand became his 84th individual
In 2019, Anthony Van Dyck became his fourth Epsom Derby winner (with
In September 2008, Galileo underwent surgery for colic.[43]
In early 2021, Galileo injured his near-fore foot and underwent another surgery. He failed to respond to treatment and was euthanized on 10 July. When announcing the death, John Magnier of Coolmore commented, ""The effect he is having on the breed through his sons and daughters will be a lasting legacy, and his phenomenal success really is unprecedented."[2]
O'Brien noted that as a sire Galileo was notable for passing his own determination down to his offspring. "You would train a lot of horses," he said, "different types of horses who all have different traits, but very few of them, in fact none of them, put that mental trait into their horses the way Galileo did. What he put into their minds, that genuineness, was out of this world."[44]
Notable progeny
c = colt, f = filly, g = gelding
† Noble Mission was awarded the Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud, after another Galileo son called Spiritjim was demoted from first after it was found that he tested positive for banned substances.[45]
‡ Gleneagles was demoted from first to third in the 2014 Prix Jean-Luc Lagardère, after stewards deemed him to have interfered with the horse that finished second (Full Mast) and third (Territories).[46]
Sire of sires
At the time of his death in 2021, Galileo had sired 20 sons who themselves became sires of Group/Grade 1 winners. Of these sons, Teofilio had sired the most G1 winners with 20, while Frankel was leading the sire list after having sired his first Derby winner. Both Australia and Gleneagles were in the top 20 of leading sires despite having just a few foal crops to represent them.[47] In 2018, Frankel had finished fourth on the leading sire list, while Nathaniel finished fifth. New Approach was the sire of 2018 Derby winner Masar, while Teofilo sired Melbourne Cup winner Cross Counter.[33]
Teofilo
Entered stud in 2008.
Foaled | Name | Sex | Major wins |
---|---|---|---|
2009 | Parish Hall | c | Dewhurst Stakes |
2009 | Voleuse de Coeurs | f | Irish St. Leger |
2010 | Havanna Gold | c | Prix Jean Prat |
2010 | Loch Garman | c | Critérium International |
2010 | Sonntag | g | Queensland Derby |
2010 | Trading Leather | c | Irish Derby |
2010 | Happy Clapper
|
g | Canterbury Stakes, Doncaster Mile, Epsom Handicap |
2011 | Kermadec | c | Doncaster Mile |
2012 | Pleascach | f | Irish 1,000 Guineas, Yorkshire Oaks |
2012 | Humidor (NZ) | g | Australian Cup, Makybe Diva Stakes, Memsie Stakes, |
2013 | Twilight Payment | g | Melbourne Cup |
2014 | Exultant | g | Hong Kong Vase, Hong Kong Gold Cup, Hong Kong Champions & Chater Cup, Queen Elizabeth II Cup |
2015 | Gear Up | c | Criterium de Saint-Cloud
|
2015 | Cross Counter | g | Melbourne Cup |
2016 | Donjah | f | Preis von Europa |
2017 | Subjectivist | c | Ascot Gold Cup |
2017 | Tawkeel | f | Prix Saint Alary
|
2017 | Without A Fight | g | Caulfield Cup, Melbourne Cup |
New Approach
Entered stud in 2009.
Foaled | Name | Sex | Major wins |
---|---|---|---|
2010 | Dawn Approach | c | 2000 Guineas, St James's Palace Stakes
|
2010 | May's Dream | f | Australasian Oaks
|
2010 | Sultanina | f | Nassau Stakes |
2010 | Talent | f | Epsom Oaks |
2011 | Elliptique | c | Grosser Dallmayr-Preis |
2011 | Potemkin | g | Premio Roma |
2015 | Cascadian | g | Doncaster Handicap |
2015 | Masar | c | Epsom Derby |
2018 | Mac Swiney | c | Vertem Futurity Trophy, Irish 2,000 Guineas
|
Frankel
Entered stud in 2013.
Foaled | Name | Sex | Major wins |
---|---|---|---|
2014 | Soul Stirring | f | Yushun Himba, Hanshin Juvenile Fillies |
2014 | Cracksman | c | Champion Stakes (twice), Prix Ganay, Coronation Cup |
2014 | Mozu Ascot | c | Yasuda Kinen, February Stakes |
2014 | Call The Wind | g | Prix du Cadran |
2014 | Dream Castle | g | Jebel Hatta |
2014 | Mirage Dancer | c | ATC Metropolitan Handicap |
2015 | Without Parole | c | St James's Palace Stakes |
2015 | Veracious | f | Falmouth Stakes |
2016 | Anapurna | f | Epsom Oaks, Prix de Royallieu |
2016 | Logician | c | St Leger |
2017 | Alpinista | f | Grosser Preis von Berlin, Preis von Europa, Grosser Preis von Bayern, Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud, Yorkshire Oaks, Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe |
2017 | Hungry Heart | f | Australian Oaks, Vinery Stud Stakes
|
2017 | Quadrilateral | f | Fillies' Mile |
2018 | Adayar | c | Epsom Derby, King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes |
2018 | Converge | g | TJ Smith Stakes |
2018 | Grenadier Guards | c | Asahi Hai Futurity Stakes |
2018 | Hurricane Lane | c | Irish Derby |
Nathaniel
Entered stud in 2013.
Foaled | Name | Sex | Major wins |
---|---|---|---|
2014 | Enable | f | Epsom Oaks, Irish Oaks, King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes (three times), Yorkshire Oaks (twice), Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe (twice), Breeders' Cup Turf, Eclipse Stakes |
2014 | God Given | f | Premio Lydia Tesio |
2016 | Channel | f | Prix de Diane |
2016 | Burning Victory | f | Triumph Hurdle |
2016 | Lady Bowthorpe | f | Nassau Stakes |
2016 | Mutamakina | f | E. P. Taylor Stakes |
2019 | Desert Crown | c | Epsom Derby |
Broodmare sire
Like his sire Galileo has become a sire of excellent broodmares whose offspring have achieved Group 1 success.[48] He was the leading broodmare sire in Great Britain and Ireland of 2020 after finishing closely behind Pivotal in the previous years.[49][50]
Pedigree
Sire Sadler's Wells bay 1981 |
Northern Dancer b. 1961 |
Nearctic br. 1954 |
Nearco |
---|---|---|---|
Lady Angela | |||
Natalma b. 1957 |
Native Dancer | ||
Almahmoud | |||
Fairy Bridge b. 1975 |
Bold Reason b. 1968 |
Hail To Reason | |
Lalun
| |||
Special b. 1969 |
Forli | ||
Thong | |||
Dam Urban Sea chestnut 1989 |
Miswaki ch. 1978 |
Mr. Prospector b. 1970 |
Raise a Native |
Gold Digger | |||
Hopespringseternal ch. 1971 |
Buckpasser | ||
Rose Bower | |||
Allegretta ch. 1978 |
Lombard ch. 1967 |
Agio | |
Promised Lady | |||
Anatevka ch. 1969 |
Espresso | ||
Almyra (Family 9-h)[52] |
See also
References
- ^ "Galileo breaks world record in G1 Irish Thousand Guineas". breednet.com.au. Retrieved 14 June 2020.
- ^ a b c "World Renowned Champion Sire Galileo Dies". Blood-Horse. 10 July 2021. Retrieved 10 July 2021.
- ^ "Stallions :: Galileo". Coolmore. Archived from the original on 30 September 2011. Retrieved 17 September 2011.
- ^ "Orpendale". Breederscup.com. Archived from the original on 29 March 2012. Retrieved 17 September 2011.
- ^ a b "Galileo new favourite for Derby". The Independent. London. 17 April 2001. Retrieved 17 September 2011.[dead link]
- ^ "Sadler's Wells Stud Record". Racing Post. Retrieved 17 September 2011.
- ^ "Leading Sires of Great Britain and Ireland". Tbheritage.com. Retrieved 17 September 2011.
- ^ a b c Grassick, Sally Ann. "At home with the world's number one stallion". Thoroughbred Racing Commentary. Retrieved 23 November 2016.
- ^ a b c d e f "Breed-Shaping Sire Galileo Dies". TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News. 10 July 2021. Retrieved 17 July 2021.
- ^ "Galileo(POL)". Racing Post. Retrieved 17 September 2011.
- ^ "IBEC EBF Maiden Stakes". Racing Post. Retrieved 17 September 2011.
- ^ "Espom Derby Trial Races". Epsomderby.org. Archived from the original on 6 January 2012. Retrieved 17 September 2011.
- ^ "Ballysax Stakes result". Racing Post. Retrieved 17 September 2011.
- ^ "Prix Lupin". Racing Post. Retrieved 17 September 2011.
- ^ "Derrinstown Stud Derby Trial result". Racing Post. Retrieved 17 September 2011.
- ^ "Derby in sights of O'Brien's Galileo". The Independent. London. 14 May 2001. Retrieved 17 September 2011.[dead link]
- ^ "Epsom Derby result". Racing Post. Retrieved 17 September 2011.
- ^ "Galileo is rated best in the last 10 years". The Independent. London. 12 June 2001. Retrieved 17 September 2011.[dead link]
- ^ J.A.McGrath (10 June 2001). "Epsom Derby: O'Brien hails great Galileo". Telegraph. London. Retrieved 17 September 2011.
- ^ "Irish Derby result". Racing Post. Retrieved 17 September 2011.
- ^ "Galileo soars high into the stratosphere". The Independent. London. 2 July 2001. Retrieved 17 September 2011.[dead link]
- ^ "King George result". Racing Post. Retrieved 17 September 2011.
- ^ Stafford, Tony (4 September 2001). "Irish showdown takes shape". Telegraph. London. Retrieved 17 September 2011.
- ^ "Irish Champion Stakes result". Racing Post. Retrieved 17 September 2011.
- ^ Scott, Brough (8 September 2001). "Fantastic holds off Galileo in epic duel". Telegraph. London. Retrieved 17 September 2011.
- ^ "Fantastic Light outshines Galileo". The Independent. London. 9 September 2001. Retrieved 17 September 2011.[dead link]
- ^ Haskin, Steve. "Galileo, Fantastic Light Turn in Sharp Works for Breeders' Cup Classic". BloodHorse. Retrieved 17 September 2011.
- ^ "Breeders' Cup Classic result". Racing Post. Retrieved 17 September 2011.
- ^ "Godolphin sets Sakhee up for Tiznow rematch". The Independent. London. 31 October 2001. Archived from the original on 24 November 2009. Retrieved 17 September 2011.
- ^ "EndMaterial2002.PDF" (PDF). Retrieved 17 September 2011.
- ^ Yates, David (5 June 2009). "The greatest Derby stars of all time – and how Nijinsky is connected to Goldfinger". mirror.co.uk. Retrieved 17 September 2011.
- ^ "Former Shuttlers Take NH Features". Racingandsports.com.au. Archived from the original on 6 July 2011. Retrieved 17 September 2011.
- ^ a b "Galileo Triumphs Again in Sires' Race". Thoroughbred Daily News. 31 December 2018. Retrieved 2 June 2019.
- ^ "Galileo, By A Country Mile". Thoroughbred Daily News. 31 December 2019. Retrieved 1 January 2020.
- ^ Sexton, Nancy. "The world's ten most expensive stallions for 2018". Thoroughbred Racing Commentary. Retrieved 2 June 2019.
- ^ "Coolmore announce death of world-leading stallion Galileo at 23". The Irish Times. Retrieved 6 February 2022.
- ^ O'Donoghue, Ollie (12 August 2018). "Galileo tops all-time list as progeny chalk up 328 European Pattern wins". Racing Post.
- ^ Thomas, James (9 November 2019). "Galileo matches Danehill's all-time record of 84 Group-Grade 1 winners". Racing Post.
- ^ "Galileo becomes the most prolific source of top-flight winners in racing history". www.racingpost.com. Retrieved 17 July 2021.
- ^ a b "Galileo edges closer to immortality with record-equalling fourth Derby winner". Racing Post. Retrieved 2 June 2019.
- ^ Mitchell, Frank (7 July 2020). "Bloodlines: Serpentine Tightens Galileo's Grip On European Classics". Paulick Report. Retrieved 17 July 2021.
- ^ "Galileo claims 1 000 Guineas with Minding". Racing Post. Archived from the original on 2 May 2016. Retrieved 23 November 2016.
- ^ "Galileo Recovering from Colic Surgery". bloodhorse.com. 19 September 2008. Retrieved 4 January 2019.
- ^ "World-Renowned Champion Sire Galileo Dies at 23 - TrueNicks.com". www.truenicks.com. Retrieved 20 July 2021.
- ^ "Noble Mission awarded Group One retrospectively". 12 September 2014 – via www.rte.ie.
{{cite journal}}
: Cite journal requires|journal=
(help) - ^ "Longchamp Gleneagles demoted after Lagardere | UK Bloodstock News | Racing Post". 17 October 2014. Archived from the original on 17 October 2014.
- ^ "Galileo: A Force Majeure". TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News. 10 July 2021. Retrieved 11 July 2021.
- ^ "Galileo | Progeny Dams Sire". Racing Post. Retrieved 1 July 2019.
- ^ "Galileo: The Hardest Of Acts To Follow". TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News. 31 December 2020. Retrieved 17 July 2021.
- ^ "Broodmare Sires of 2019: A Pivotal Hat Trick". TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News. 6 January 2020.
- ^ "Galileo pedigree". Equineline. 8 May 2012. Retrieved 1 July 2012.
- ^ "Adelaide – Family 9-h". Bloodlines.net. Retrieved 1 July 2012.
External links
- Career 1-2-3 Colour Chart – Galileo