It had been a long time coming, but almost a year to the day since Warm Heart handed the sire extraordinaire a 99th individual Group/Grade 1 winner in the Yorkshire Oaks, that same race saw Galileo finally, finally, reach the magical tally of 100. This win set a milestone unprecedented in the sport, and, as has so often been the case in recent times, Galileo had the assistance of the greatest jockey in the sport.
Satisfying Success for Content Under an Inspired Moore
There are many things to take away from this year’s Ebor Festival already, but one of the standout features of the opening two days has been just how good Ryan Moore really is. As the number one at Ballydoyle, Moore, of course, has an array of talent at his disposal, which is the envy of just about every rider in the world. Nevertheless, he still has to get the job done, and rarely has he displayed his skills to greater effect than at the 2024 edition of the biggest meeting in the north.
Superb from the front aboard The Lion In Winter in the Acomb Stakes, he showed an ability to adjust under pressure when City Of Troy surprisingly strode into the lead in the Juddmonte International – slowly but steadily allowing his mount to hit full stride and burn off his rivals in the most thrilling contest of the season.
If City Of Troy’s success advertised Moore’s split-second decision-making, Content’s victory in the Yorkshire Oaks showed the benefit of outthinking his rivals in advance. The earlier races at the meeting suggested the far rail was the place to be, with the sprint contests, in particular, showing a bias towards the far side. That information was readily available to all, but only Moore adjusted to it in this 1m4f affair. Immediately restraining his mount when the stalls opened, Moore ensured that he grabbed the inside. A small manoeuvre at the time, but it proved pivotal in the straight.
With Emily Upjohn and You Got To Me making their bid for glory down the centre, there was Moore, all alone on the far side. With the rider having done his bit, it was over to Content to fulfil her side of the bargain, which she duly did. Displaying the determination, which is one of the most notable attributes running through the progeny of Galileo, the three-year-old kept on doggedly to score by three-quarters of a length. A second Group 1 success of the meeting for trainer and jockey, but a rather more notable milestone for Content’s sensational sire.
Galileo the Great
Sired by Sadler’s Wells, who was an outstanding sire in his own right, and out of the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe winning mare, Urban Sea, hopes were high that Galileo would at least prove up to winning a race or two in pattern company. In the end, he fared significantly better than that – blossoming at the track before becoming the bedrock upon which the modern Ballydoyle operation is built as a stallion.
Near Perfect on the Track
Raced seven times, Galileo tasted defeat only twice, when undone by the perfectly executed strategy of Godolphin in the 2001 Irish Champion Stakes and when failing to fire on dirt in the Breeders’ Cup Classic. Away from those blemishes, the majestic colt was imperious in the English and Irish Derbys and the King George VI & Queen Elizabeth Stakes before retiring to stallion duties at the end of his three-year-old campaign.
Flawless at Stud
Dual classic winners invariably attract more than their fair share of attention at stud, but few could have predicted the overwhelming impact Galileo would have as a stallion.
Galileo picked up a first Group 1 victory with his first crop when Nightime claimed the Irish 1,000 Guineas. More swiftly followed, with Sixties Icon landing the St Leger that same year, Teofilo coming out on top in the National Stakes, and Red Rocks crossing the Atlantic to claim the Breeders’ Cup Turf.
From there, the floodgates opened. Each passing year saw Galileo increasingly take over the sport on British and Irish shores, leaving a swathe of beaten horses and records in his wake. To pay full tribute to this legend, who passed away in 2021, is beyond the scope of this article, but highlights include:
- Champion Sire in Great Britain & Ireland – 2008, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020
- Entered into British Champions Series Hall of Fame – 2022
- Sire of Five Derby Winners – New Approach, Ruler Of The World, Australia, Anthony Van Dyck, Serpentine
- Sets New World Record for Individual Group/Grade 1 Winners – Peaceful’s win in the 2020 Irish 1,000 Guineas was Galileo’s 85th Individual top-level winner, surpassing the previous record of 84 held by Danehill
- Sire of the Greatest Racehorse of all time – A 2008 meeting with the mare Kind produced the incomparable, unbeatable, 140-rated Frankel
With new runners at the track dwindling – his final crop numbered just 13 – the 100 Group 1 winner landmark may be one of the final notable achievements by Galileo. However, we may be waiting some time before any horse comes close to matching his phenomenal stud career.