Galileo Tops Orby Opener With Two Millionaire Fillies

While Galileo sired his latest Stakes winner at Cork in the shape of Up Helly Aa, his daughters were lighting up the Goffs Orby Sale, where they accounted for the two highest prices on the opening day of trade.

Glenvale Stud’s Galileo filly out of Aleagueoftheirown outshone her €2million full-sister when selling to Westerberg for €2.2million. A full-sister to five Stakes horses, including multiple Group 1 winner Alice Springs, she was bought by a new investor in Georg von Opel. Speaking on his price purchase, he said, “She has a wonderful pedigree; her bloodlines are the most important thing as we are looking towards breeding for the stud. She'll be kept in Ireland and hopefully does well on the track.”

Phoenix Thoroughbreds purchased last year’s offering out of Aleagueoftheirown and added another beautifully-bred daughter of Galileo to their string when joining with Aquis Farm to secure Barronstown Stud’s full-sister to Irish Derby victor Sovereign (Galileo).

Bidding €1.1million to secure the May-born filly, whose Danehill Dancer dam was placed at Group level on three occasions and hails from the family of Balanchine. Phoenix chief executive Amer Abdulaziz later commented, “You don't get the chance to acquire potential broodmare prospects like these on the market very often.” Advisor Tom Ludt added, “She's a beautiful filly with a very good page. The idea is to try and upgrade the broodmare band. We'll keep her here to race.”