G1 1-2, two G3s - all in a day’s work for Galileo
An unforgettable weekend for Galileo continued on Sunday with a further catalogue of victories headed by Spiritjim (4c Galileo-Hidden Silver, by Anabaa) leading home a 1-2 for the champion sire in the G1 Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud.
G1 Tattersalls Gold Cup winner Noble Mission (5h Galileo-Kind, by Danehill) made a bold effort to take the race from the front under James Doyle but he was just caught in the closing strides by Spiritjim, who will now be aimed at the G1 Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe.
“You could see the other horse's stride shortening just as my horse accelerated,” Spiritjim’s trainer Pascal Bary told the Racing Post. “Now he'll go for the Arc, with a comeback run at Longchamp beforehand. He has had four hard races a month apart and he deserves a rest,
“He's a super horse. He always gives his running and 2,400 metres is really his perfect trip. The softening of the ground suits him as well as the other horse making it a proper test.”
Galileo was enjoying his G1 1-2 less than 24 hours after Australia (3c Galileo-Ouija Board, by Cape Cross) led home a 1-2-3 for him in the G1 Irish Derby at the Curragh, where he enjoyed yet more success on Sunday.
In the G3 Curragh Cup, Ernest Hemingway (5h Galileo-Cassydora, by Darshaan) was successful under Joseph O’Brien.
“Things didn’t go right for him in Dubai but he came back here today, loved the ground and got the trip well,” said the winning rider. “I think he’s a stayer that could progress.”
Trainer Aidan O’Brien added: “Ernest Hemingway loves fast ground, that’s when he is at his best, and there’s an option of going to the two-mile race at Goodwood (G2 Goodwood Cup).”
The master of Ballydoyle was back in the winner’s enclosure half an hour later when Mekong River (3c Galileo-Simply Perfect, by Danehill) captured the G3 Friarstown Stud International Stakes under Seamie Heffernan.
“He’s strengthened up well and handles most types of ground and like most Galileos he doesn’t know when to give up,” said Heffernan.
Meanwhile, the opening juvenile maiden - in which Australia made his debut 12 months ago - could have seen a future star by Galileo.
Gleneagles (2c Galileo-You’resothrilling, by Storm Cat), a full-brother to G1 Irish 1,000 Guineas winner Marvellous, scored by two and a half lengths.
“He shows a lot of pace and we’ll look at something like the G3 Tyros Stakes with him,” said Aidan O’Brien. “We’ll probably stay at seven furlongs now. He was entered in the Chesham Stakes at Royal Ascot but we decided to take our time. He’s one we’ve always liked at home.”