Gleneagles Colt Lands Curragh Maiden In Impressive Fashion

Galen (3c Gleneagles – Apache Storm, by Pivotal) proved a class above his rivals in Sunday’s mile maiden on the third and final day of the Irish Derby Festival.

Runner-up to City Of Troy on his sole juvenile start, the Joseph O’Brien-trained colt filled the same position on return in another Curragh maiden in May. He was sent off favourite to go one better over a furlong further and raced in second for much of the way under Dylan Browne McMonagle. Easing into the lead before the two furlong pole, he was ridden clear approaching the final furlong and was pushed out to score by nine lengths.

“We've always thought the world of him,” the winning trainer later revealed. “He ran a good race here on his comeback and he came forward since then. I don't think they are his conditions, but I'm delighted that he won well and you have to say he was very impressive.”

Bred by Moyns Park Stud, Galen is owned by Paul Redmond, Ger Fitzgerald, Mrs Anne Marie O’Brien and Barry Fowler.