Ulysseseclipseorig Edit

Ulysses Eclipses rivals to give Galileo another G1

The mighty Galileo was responsible for yet more G1 glory on Saturday when Ulysses (4c Galileo-Light Shift, by Kingmambo) came out on top in a brilliant renewal of the G1 Eclipse Stakes at Sandown.

The Flaxman Stables home-bred prevailed in a brilliant finish to the 10-furlong event when just seeing off Excelebration’s G1 St James’s Palace Stakes-winning son Barney Roy (3c Excelebration-Alina, by Galileo).

“He’s a very consistent, game and admirable horse,” winning trainer Sir Michael Stoute said. “He’s only had one blip and that was in the Derby when he got turned over twice. He’s never run a bad race.

“I wouldn't rule out going back up in trip. He ran a big race at Santa Anita over a mile and a half and he settles better this season so I'd be hopeful.”

It was a special moment for winning jockey Jim Crowley, who felt this success was the pinnacle of his riding career to date.

“This has to be the No 1 for me. I’ve had Group 1 winners at Ascot but this the Eclipse is one of the big ones that everyone wants to win,” said Crowley.  “It was a little bit rough early on but we were away from that and he settled well, whereas he was a bit fresh with me at Ascot.

"I got a fantastic feeling off him at Ascot and possibly got there a little bit too soon there, so that was on my mind a little bit today.”