Galileo Filly Flies To Belmont Oaks Victory

Magic Attitude (3f Galileo - Margot Did, by Exceed And Excel) made a perfect start to her US career when coming from last to first in Saturday’s Grade 1 Belmont Oaks.

A Group 3 winner and second at the highest level in France, the daughter of Galileo was sent off favourite on her first start for Arnaud Delacour. Javier Castellano donned the silks of Lael Stables and settled the bay at the back of the field, where he remained approaching the turn for home. Racing wide in the straight, she showed an impressive turn of foot passing her rivals and led entering the final furlong. Drawing clear, she won by two and a quarter lengths from longtime leader Antoinette.

Speaking after the race, the winning rider said, “I really like the way she did it. She sat beautifully behind the speed. When I asked her turning for home at the quarter pole, she just took off really well. I was very excited to see the way she did it today.”

Bred by Katsudi Yoshida out of Nunthorpe Stakes heroine Margot Did, Magic Attitude is a full-sister to Group 2 winner Mission Impassable (Galileo). She completed an international Group double for champion sire Galileo, following Orderofthegarter (6c Galileo - Kitty Kiernan, by Pivotal) taking the Group 3 Foundation Cup at Caulfield.

Trained by Danny O’Brien for the Williams family, the Irish Listed winner chased the leaders under Damien Oliver and delivered a challenge approaching the final furlong. Driven out, he scored by three parts of a length and in turn earned a place in the Caulfield Cup, for which he is now favourite.

Bred by Barronstown Stud out of Group performer Kitty Kiernan, the son of Galileo was purchased privately from Ballydoyle to race in Australia.