Guineas Glory Sees Galileo Create New Group 1 Record
Saturday saw Galileo overtake Danehill as the greatest source of Group 1 winners, as Peaceful (3f Galileo - Missvinski, by Stravinsky) became his 85th top-level scorer in the Irish 1,000 Guineas at the Curragh.
It was a particularly apt race to complete Galileo’s Group 1 record, with the Irish 1,000 Guineas having provided the champion sire with his first Group 1 winner in the form of Nightime in 2006. Listed-placed as a juvenile, Coolmore homebred Peaceful has proven typical of her sire in terms of her progressive profile, and after winning the Classic by two lengths, could be open to further improvement.
Speaking after the race, winning trainer Aidan O’Brien said, “Peaceful is a lovely filly, she always was and was always very high class. She's very uncomplicated and Seamie gave her a very straightforward ride. We'll see how she is but she could go to the Coronation Stakes.”
Galileo equalled Danehill’s 84 Group 1 winner record in November, when Magic Wand (5m Galileo - Prudenzia, by Dansili) won then Mackinnon Stakes at Flemington. The Aidan O’Brien-trained mare completed a fantastic four-timer for Galileo on the Curragh card when taking the Group 2 Lanwades Stud Stakes by an impressive four and a half lengths.
O’Brien later described the winner as “an unbelievable mare” and revealed the Eclipse and Pretty Polly Stakes as possible aims later in the season. Bred by Ecurie des Monceaux and Skymarc Farm, Magic Wand cost €1.4million as a yearling, but the close relation to Chicquita (Montjeu) has since repaid connections with over €4million in earnings.
Earlier in the day, stablemate Lancaster House (4c Galileo - Quiet Oasis, by Oasis Dream) created a striking impression when making all to win the Group 3 Gladness Stakes.
Succesfful on his first three starts last season, including at Listed level, the son of Galileo was dropping back in trip to seven furlongs for the first time. Ridden by Seamie Heffernan, who also guided Magic Wand and Peaceful to success, he went over two lengths clear at halfway and maintained a clear advantage to win by two lengths and a quarter.
Bred by Barronstown Stud, Lancaster House is the first foal out of Grade 3 winner Quiet Oasis, whose Galileo filly sold for 2,100,000gns at last year’s Tattersalls yearling sales.