Ulysses imperious for Galileo in G1 International

Ulysses (4c Galileo-Light Shift, by Kingmambo) confirmed himself another simply outstanding performer for Galileo when winning the G1 Juddmonte International at York on Wednesday. The four-year-old, hero of the previous month’s G1 Eclipse at Sandown, led home a 1-2 for Galileo in the £1 million event when finishing ahead of Churchill (3c Galileo-Meow, by Storm Cat), who looked not to relish the rain-softened ground. Barney Roy (3c Excelebration-Alina, by Galileo) ran a gallant race for Excelebration in third.

This was a Breeders’ Cup “Win & You’re In” prize and trainer Sir Michael Stoute is pointing Ulysses at the G1 Breeders’ Cup Turf at Del Mar.  The winner was home-bred by the Niarchos family’s Flaxman Holdings.

“It all went so smoothly and there was never a blip,” said Stoute, winning a sixth Juddmonte International. “I think it was his best performance to date. We had planned to drop in behind and I never had any worries the way he was travelling. I think it’s time to give him a break and I know Maria [Niarchos] is keen on the Breeders’ Cup Turf, so we’ll work backwards from that. “He’s a professional athlete now and has everything – constitution, rhythm and pedigree and I think he’s as good over 12 furlongs. On today’s performance I’d put him right up there with any of my previous winners or even in front of them.” Jockey Jim Crowley also felt it was a career-best performance and added: “I just had to nurse him along and he picked up well. He’s improving as well, as today was the best feel I’ve gotten off him.”