Chantilly G2 double for Galileo

A pair of exciting performers claimed G2 successes on a great afternoon for Galileo at Chantilly on Sunday.

First up was three-year-old Mission Impassible (3f Galileo-Margot Did, by Exceed And Excel), a top-notch juvenile last season, who returned to her best to win the G2 Prix de Sandringham for trainer Jean-Claude Rouget (pictured).

"I wouldn't usually run a filly in the Sandringham only three weeks after the Poule d'Essai, but she didn't really have a race there, having been blocked for the last 200 metres,” said Rouget. “I think the decent rhythm of the race was important to her today. The G1 Prix de Diane and Royal Ascot will come too quick, so she will be prepared for Deauville or perhaps go to Britain, where there is a good programme for fillies.

“She had a chaotic start to this season but, for me, she was the best two-year-old trained in France in 2017.”

Four-year-old Waldgeist (4c Galileo-Waldlerche, by Monsun), a G1 winner at two, put in a hugely-impressive effort to win the G2 Grand Prix de Chantilly under Pierre-Charles Boudot.

Trained by Andre Fabre and racing in Gestut Ammerland’s colours, the Galileo colt drew clear in the final furlong to win by three lengths.

“He ran very well last time and that what was great today,” said Boudot. “He showed that he’d strengthened since last year and is only getting better. He accelerated well today and the G1 Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud is the logical next step.

“He showed that he is very good and I ride him every morning so it gives me huge pleasure. There’s no reason why he shouldn’t carry on progressing.”