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PEDIGREE HANDICAPPING SEPTEMBER 16, 2006 Galileo, a sire of stayers? by Tim Holland At Epsom Downs in the summer of 2001, legendary sire Sadler's Wells achieved the notable feat of siring the first three finishers home in the English Oaks (Eng-G1). Last Saturday, Galileo (Ire), a son of that great stallion duplicated that achievement by being responsible for Sixties Icon, The Last Drop and Red Rocks, who filled the first three places, respectively, in the final English classic, the St Leger (Eng-G1). However, since the St Leger is contested over the marathon distance of 1 3/4 miles, many don't necessarily count this as a positive accomplishment and are somewhat quick to categorize the stallion as being a sire of slow horses with little speed. In addition to being a son of Sadler's Wells, who has already sired the exceptionally successful young sire Montjeu (Ire) and who is from the same family as Nureyev, Galileo is out of the champion Urban Sea (Miswaki) whose biggest victory came in Europe's most prestigious race, the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe (Fr-G1). As a producer, Urban Sea has proven exceptional with all six of her foals to race being stakes winners, including the group/graded winners Urban Ocean (Bering [GB]), Black Sam Bellamy (Sadler's Wells), All Too Beautiful (Ire) (Sadler's Wells), My Typhoon (Ire) (Giant's Causeway) as well as Melikah (Ire) (Lammtarra), who finished third in the Epsom Oaks. Trained by Aidan O'Brien for Michael Tabor and Mrs. John Magnier, Galileo was highly touted when he made his racecourse debut in October 2000 at Leopardstown, where he did not disappoint winning by 14 lengths over his 15 rivals as the even-money favorite. Put away for the winter, Galileo returned to Leopardstown for his three-year-old debut, which resulted in an easy victory over another son of Sadler's Wells, Milan (GB), who would himself win the St Leger later that year and finish second in the Breeders' Cup Turf (G1). In mid-May, Galileo won the Derrinstown Stud S. (Ire-G3), setting himself up nicely for the Epsom Derby (Eng G1), which he scored rather easily over Two Thousand Guineas (Eng-G1) winner Golan (Ire). Following an impressive win in the Irish Derby (Ire-G1), Galileo returned to England for the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Diamond S. (Eng-G1), which was his first start against older horses and possibly his greatest accomplishment on the racetrack. Even with five other Group 1 winners in the field, Galileo was dispatched as the heavy favorite and once again did not let his supporters down, disposing of the only serious challenge in the race from the well-traveled five-year-old Fantastic Light. This victory completed the English Derby, Irish Derby and King George triple that had been achieved by such greats as Nijinsky II, Grundy, The Minstrel and Generous. In September, Fantastic Light and Galileo renewed their rivalry in the 1 1/4-mile Irish Champion S. (Ire-G1) and when the former was able to reverse their Ascot result, many were surprised and disappointed. However, it must be remembered that Galileo was a true 1 1/2-mile performer while his older rival was racing over his ideal trip. In fact, it can be noted that Fantastic Light was winless, while competitive in most, in seven previous Group 1 attempts at 1 1/2 miles, although his lone Grade 1 win at that distance was to come in his very next race, the Breeders' Cup Turf at Belmont Park. Whether he handled the dirt course or not, Galileo was most likely past his best when he made his last career race in the Breeders' Cup Classic (G1) at Belmont, finishing a distant sixth. Retired to stand at Coolmore, Galileo wound up with three Group 1 wins to his name and earnings of $2,250,614. His best attributes may have been, according to O'Brien, that he stayed 1 1/2 miles well, but also possessed speed and a blistering turn of foot. Being a fairly late developing sort, and best over more than 10 furlongs, one could excuse Galileo's offspring for not being precocious. However, he did sire eight individual winners from 37 runners in his first year, including Innocent Air, winner of the Washington Singer S. (Eng), and Global Genius (Ire), who placed in the Chesham S. (Eng). The expected success of his three-year-olds did not take long to arrive for Galileo as his daughter Nightime, trained by Dermot Weld, won the Irish One Thousand Guineas (Ire-G1) over a mile at the Curragh in May, drawing off to win by six lengths after being prominent throughout. Also in May another highly regarded daughter, Galatee, remained unbeaten after three races when she won the Blue Wind S. (Ire-G3) after which she was the subject of a large gamble for the Epsom Oaks, only to be withdrawn on the day of the race due to an elevated white blood cell count. Allegretto is a third successful filly by Galileo, winning the Lancashire Oaks (Eng-G2) and finishing third in the Yorkshire Oaks (Eng-G1). The improving Sixties Icon became Galileo's second Group 1 winner when he won the St Leger. Rated near the rear of the field until the final three furlongs by jockey Frankie Dettori, Sixties Icon moved smoothly into contention when asked and drew away to a very easy 2 1/2-length victory and, if his connections decide to supplement him, would have to merit consideration in the Arc next month. Meanwhile, another colt from Galileo's second crop with a promising future is Teofilo, who kept his unbeaten record intact when winning the seven-furlong Futurity S. (Ire-G2) at the Curragh late last month. Trainer Jim Bolger claims he is the best he has ever handled. While it is fair to conclude that most of Galileo's offspring will improve with time and added distance, it's also notable that they have inherited tactical speed and acceleration as well as stamina. It's these qualities that enable them to be competitive in most situations and which will preclude the stallion from earning the reputation of simply being a sire of stayers.
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