Regretfully our world-renowned Champion Sire Galileo was put to sleep earlier today on humane grounds owing to a chronic, non-responsive, debilitating injury to the left fore foot.
“It is a very sad day,” said John Magnier, “but we all feel incredibly fortunate to have had Galileo here at Coolmore. I would like to thank the dedicated people who looked after him so well all along the way. He was always a very special horse to us and he was the first Derby winner we had in Ballydoyle in the post M V O’Brien era. I would also like to thank Aidan and his team for the brilliant job they did with him. The effect he is having on the breed through his sons and daughters will be a lasting legacy and his phenomenal success really is unprecedented.”
Following Galileo’s strikingly impressive Epsom Derby success the front-page headline in the Racing Post was the single word ‘PERFECTION.’ It could not have been more apt.
Bred in the purple by Sadler’s Wells out of ‘Arc’ heroine Urban Sea and unbeaten in his first six starts, Galileo proved an immediate success at stud siring Irish 1,000 Guineas winner Nightime from his first crop. Appropriately he became the most successful Group 1 sire of all time when his daughter Peaceful won the same race in June of last year.
His total of individual Group 1 winners now stands at 91 while no less than 20 of his sons have sired Group 1 winners on the flat, headed by Frankel and Australia.
Galileo’s Legacy: Son of Gallileo, Amhran Na Bhfiann, in Curragh Cup
Epsom Derby third Amhran Na Bhfiann (4c Galileo – Alluring Park, by Green Desert) made all to gain his first Stakes success in June 28, 2021 Group 2 Curragh Cup.
Rivals realised they were in trouble as they approached the turn for home, but none could get close to the Aidan O’Brien-trained leader. Colin Keane remained motionless as his mount crossed the line seven lengths clear of the field.
Speaking after the race, the winning trainer said, “He’s coming forward and I would say that’s his trip. He’s a good honest horse and I imagine he will come back here for the Irish St Leger.”
Owned by Derrick Smith, Mrs John Magnier and Michael Tabor, Amhran Na Bhfiann was bred by Lodge Park Stud. The son of Galileo is an own-brother to Epsom Oaks heroine Was (Galileo) and Group 3 Derby Trial victor Douglas Macarthur (Galileo).
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Photo of Galileo and Amhran Na Bhfiann courtesy of Coolmore Ir
