On the 14th
of June, Galileo Gold continued his rise with a comprehensive victory
at Royal Ascot in the St James's Palace Stakes. The
three-year-old, jockeyed by Frankie Dettori, came through the pack to
lead towards the final sprint, managing to hold off The Gurkha and
Awtaad to secure the win. As a result of the horse’s good form on
the flats, his success has been tipped to continue at the Qatar
Petroleum Sussex Stakes at the end of July.
Can Galileo Gold make it?
Strong
Start To Career
The British thoroughbred was sired by Paco Boy, who had notable victories at the Prix de la Foret and the Sandown Mile, while the dam was Galicuix. The bloodline of Galileo Gold includes the notable names of Galileo and Northern Dancer on the dam’s side of the family tree.
Despite
Galicuix’s lack of success in her racing career, Galileo Gold has
enjoyed a meteoric rise since taking to the turf in 2015. A product
of trainer Hugo Palmer, the horse enjoyed a strong start in his
opening race at York in the Yorkshire Regiment EBF Stallions Median
Auction.
He had a fast
start and led for a large portion of the meet with jockey Martin
Harley at the reins, but was unable to hold off the speed of Age Of
Empire, who romped to victory over the final furlong. However,
Galileo Gold would not have to wait long for his first taste of
victory, as he secured the win at Salisbury in the Bathwick Tyres
Maiden Auction by moving steadily through the pack before
sprinting to clinch first place in the strait.
Another win was
to follow at Haydock, which would be Harley’s last at the reins on
the horse, as Dettori replaced him for the next race at Goodwood for
the Group Two Vintage Stakes. In his first appearance in his new
class, Galileo Gold delivered a perfect display to oust Ibn Malik
and record victory by three quarters of a length. The final
race of Galileo’s debut season was to end with a third-place
finish, as he appeared to struggle with the shorter distance of the
Longchamp course.
Rise In
2016
On his return to
action this year, the three-year-old has been in outstanding form,
beginning with an excellent
performance at Newmarket’s 2,000 Guineas. Lining up
as an outsider, he surged through the pack and finished strongly over
the final two furlongs to clinch a convincing win over a strong field
of competitors, including Air Force Blue. As a result of his
impressive performance at Newmarket, Galileo was backed to notch
another win at Curragh in his next outing, despite the presence of
Air Force Blue and Awtaad. A slow start impeded his progress in the
race, although he managed to rally with a surge down the inside to
move into second place behind Awtaad. However, he did not have
enough on the strait to surpass the Irish thoroughbred, who clinched
the victory in front of a home crowd.
Galileo Gold’s
response to missing out was emphatic, as Dettori pushed him hard from
the start and the three-year-old did not relinquish the lead in
a fantastic run at Royal Ascot. He now faces the challenge
of repeating his display at the Sussex Stakes in July, where once
again he will be pitted against Awtaad and The Gurkha. American
thoroughbred Tepin will also provide a strong obstacle for the
European horses to overcome following his win at the Queen Anne
Stakes. All three horses have proven to be strong in the field,
but Palmer and Dettori will be determined to ensure that Galileo
Gold adds another victory to the list.
Sussex
Stakes at Glorious Goodwood
Galileo
Gold is backed in the latest horse racing odds at
9/4 to triumph for the sixth time in his short career. The
Sussex Stakes will provide a good test for Dettori and Palmer.
The Italian jockey has claimed victory four times in the race, the
last of which came in 2007 on Ramonti, while his previous successes
came on Second Set, Aljabr and Noverre. His experience on the
course will be vital should he wish to close the gap on Sir Gordon
Richards, who holds the most wins in the race, at eight.
Palmer has never
trained a horse that has triumphed in the meet at the Goodwood
Course, but will be eyeing becoming a part of the prestigious company
to achieve victory. The venue was the stage one of Frankel’s
crowning glories as he won the race in back-to-back years in 2011 and
2012, with Tom Queally at the reins. Owner Prince Khalid Abdullah was
the owner of Frankel during his momentous achievements, and has
dominated the Sussex Stakes with three further victories. He is the
most successful owner at the race, with his achievements including a
win 2014 with Kingman, and he will be hopeful that Time Test can rise
to the occasion to deliver his sixth triumph. Meanwhile, Galileo
Gold’s age will be an important factor in determining the outcome
of the race, as only 16 horses have been able to clinch victory when
over the age of three.
Can
Galileo Gold Continue Great Form?
The stage is set
for the British thoroughbred to shine at one of the biggest events of
the year, and he has the perfect jockey for the occasion. Jockey and
owner will have confidence in the horse following his victories over
his close rivals last time out, but anything can happen when the
stalls open.
Image
Sources: British Champions Series, Image
Source: Turf Times, Image
Source: British Champions Series, Image
Source: Nags Tips, Image
Source: Hugo Palmer