Galileo night at Leopardstown

Galileo dominated proceedings at Leopardstown on Thursday night thanks to a trio of two-year-olds that look live 2017 Classic prospects. First up and pictured was Douglas Macarthur (2c Galileo-Alluring Park, by Green Desert), a colt with a big reputation who broke his maiden in such style that he was promptly made favourite for the 2017 Derby by bookmakers. The 1.25 million guineas yearling, bred by Lodge Park Stud, certainly has the pedigree for Epsom. He is a brother to the 2012 Oaks heroine Was and out of a half-sister to one of Galileo’s Derby winners, New Approach. Galileo went on to take both G3 events on the card. Promise To Be True (2f Galileo-Sumora, by Danehill), a sister to G1 Moyglare Stud Stakes winner Maybe, effortlessly took the G3 Silver Flash Stakes, while the G3 Tyros Stakes went to Churchill (2c Galileo-Meow, by Storm Cat). All three winners were ridden by Ryan Moore and trained by Aidan O’Brien, who understandably plans to step the trio up in grade. “We always thought Churchill was very good and he’s a little immature still. I think the G2 Futurity Stakes is where we’ll go now,” said O’Brien. “We knew Douglas Macarthur had a massive engine as he was doing very good things at home.  We'll look at the G2 Beresford Stakes or the G3 Golden Fleece Stakes for him. I'd like to give him a little bit of time. He's still very babyish. "You'd have to be delighted with Promise To Be True. She would have learned plenty there. She’s a nice filly and something like the G2 Debutante Stakes might suit her.”