English and Irish Guineas hero Gleneagles (Galileo) extended his win streak
to three with a convincing tally in Tuesday’s St James’s Palace (Eng-G1) at
Royal Ascot, confirming his status as the best three-year-old miler in Europe.
Ridden by Ryan Moore and trained by Aidan O’Brien, the Coolmore-owned colt
stalked the leaders before blitzing the opposition with a devastating turn of
foot to record a 2 1/2-length victory over the good-to-firm footing.
Moore rides first-call for Ballydoyle Stables, although the former
first-choice, O’Brien’s son Joseph, remains a key player in Gleneagles’ career,
and rides him every day.
“Joseph said before the race that he had him better today than at any stage,
which was pleasing to hear,” Aidan O’Brien said. “He does everything with the
horse and he wouldn’t say that lightly.”
This was O’Brien’s seventh win in the St James’s Palace Stakes, but he played
down his role, saying: “I’m just a small part of a very big team, and privileged
to be able to play a part. I’m getting older now and the younger lads are coming
on. I’m watching more and going with the flow. I’m 45 now and it’s great to see
younger people coming along and taking responsibility and the pressure. So many
people make it happen.
“I only look on — I just stand at the top of the gallops and watch the work,
which is good for me, and a lot less pressure.”
Gleneagles registered his fourth Group 1 win and is seven-for-nine overall.
Fourth when making his debut last June, his only other setback came as a third
in the Gran Criterium (Fr-G1) in his juvenile finale.
Moore was effusive in his praise of the three-year-old.
“He went really well, settling nicely and I was able to drop in him,” the
jockey said. “I’m really happy with the performance. He was impressive in both
the English and Irish Guineas and things didn’t work out perfectly for him in
those two races but he has won really well here today.”
Latharnach (Iffraaj) rallied for second in the St. James’s Palace, edging
pacesetter Consort (Lope De Vega) by a half-length. French Guineas (Fr-G1) winner Make Believe (Makfi) was never a serious
factor, retreating to last in the five-horse field.
“I didn’t think Frankie Dettori was going to lead on Consort,” Moore said. “I
know the horse from home and he stays very well so I made sure to track him.
(Gleneagles) has got a very good turn of foot. It was a muddling race — it was
a bit messy early and Frankie got his own way in front.
As for the future, Moore suggested the horse could handle a step up in
distance if asked to.
“He could get a little further but he has plenty of pace so there’s no real
need,” Moore added. I am sure plans will be made for him later on. I think that
he is getting better.”
O’Brien considers Gleneagles to be one of the best milers he’s conditioned.
“He’s very like Giants Causeway in that he’s got the same constitution, but
he has more speed,” the trainer said. “You rode Giants Causeway near the pace
and would grind it out, but this horse can relax and quicken. I don’t think
we’ve had a miler as good as him.
“As a two-year-old he was never going to get up the ratings because he
only would only do the minimum — today I was surprised he won by two and a half
lengths. If it was lovely ground at Goodwood you would want to see him run there
(against older milers for the first time in the Sussex Stakes [G1]) and then he
could run over 10 furlongs if the lads decide that’s what they want to do.”
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