World champion sire Galileo has been dominating in Europe in recent years siring the winners of the Epsom Derby, French Derby and Irish 2,000 Guineas.
As a thoroughbred racehorse, Galileo (Sadler’s Wells x Urban Sea, Miswaki) did not appear on the racecourse until October 2000 as a late 2YO. Ridden by Melbourne Cup winning jockey Mick Kinane. Galileo had shown glimpses of his star quality by winning his first race start by 14 lengths.
As a three year old, Galileo won the English & Irish Derbies and the King George VI & Queen Elizabeth Stakes. He was named Cartier European Champion 3YO in 2001 and was given a final Timeform rating of 134.
Galileo was retired to stand as a stallion for the Coolmore Stud, where his next phrase of career began. He had operated as a “shuttle” stallion, standing at Coolmore Ireland during the Northern Hemisphere breeding season and moving to its Australian branch in the Hunter Valley for the Southern Hemisphere breeding season. Though since 2012, he has stood exclusively in Ireland.
Galileo has sired Group 1 winners like New Approach, Soldier Of Fortune, Was and world champion racehorse Frankel.
And last week, Galileo has sired his 2nd Epsom Derby winner in Ruler Of The World.
Yet Galileo proven that his brilliance has extended to Australia last Saturday when his dashing grey son Linton (Galileo x Our Heather, by Centaine) scored a rail-hugging victory in the Group I Stradbroke Handicap.
Linton has had an interesting career, starting his racing life as a stayer with the Lloyd Williams team before being sold on after finishing last in the Group I VRC Turnbull Stakes in 2011.
New trainer John Sadler has elected to keep Linton sharper and his four wins from eight starts since joining his new stable have all come at distances of 1600 metres or less.
Tuned up for the Stradbroke with two impressive wins in Adelaide, Linton arrived in Brisbane fit and ready to rumble, the only negative a bad barrier which saw him jump from 16 in a field of 18 after emergencies came out.
Jockey Nick Hall settled at the rear and had given Linton a rail-hugging run. The grey son of Galileo had never gone around one horse during the 1400 metre feature and beaten home the perennial Group I bridesmaid Buffering. Linton has become the 35th individual Group I winner for Galileo.
Galileo has also won his 4th British & Irish Sire Championship last year. Coolmore Stud has listed his stud fee for 2013 as ‘Private’
By Owens Wong
