Ruler is supreme in Epsom Derby
Galileo’s son Ruler Of The World (3c Galileo-Love Me True, by Kingmambo), a half-brother to Duke Of Marmalade, ran out a superb winner of the G1 Epsom Derby on Saturday.
The unbeaten colt - who had won the Chester Vase on his previous start - stayed on in great fashion to score by a length and a half under Ryan Moore to bring trainer Aidan O’Brien a fourth success in the premier Classic.
Galileo’s grandson Libertarian finished runner-up while his sons Galileo Rock (3c Galileo-Grecian Bride, by Groom Dancer) and Battle Of Marengo (3c Galileo-Anna Karenina, by Green Desert) finished third and fourth.
“I had to let this fellow go on when I did because I knew that he would get the trip very well. He was there a bit too soon and was just a little bit green,” said Moore. “He has improved a lot from Chester and I think that he will get further. He has got a real likeable attitude.
“We went so slowly, but he quickened well and he kept going. He was only having his third run, he was there early enough and you have got to give credit to the horse. I was there too early but he really toughed it out.”
O’Brien added: “This horse won very impressively around Chester - he quickened up well that day and won like a very good horse. We are so lucky to be in the position that we are in, to get such horses.
“Even before he came to Ballydoyle he must have been highly rated to be given such a name, and he's always been a stunner with an unbelievable pedigree. With a name like that I must have been scared to run him as a two-year-old!”
Ruler Of The World carries the colours of Sue Magnier and her husband John commented: “We feel very lucky to be standing right here. We are just lucky. We are going through a good patch and that’s the way it goes.
“The horses [before they race] are rated on pedigree and as individuals, and Sue names them in February or March. Then we monitor them and this horse obviously made his way to the top - sometimes we get it right and sometimes we don't. We've had a lot of bad American presidents!”
Speaking about Galileo, part-owner Michael Tabor added: “To have five runners in today's race and to see what he has achieved, and to think he has become a sire of sires is marvellous. Hopefully, we have a lot more Galileos to come.”