Impressive Galileo gives Kinane first Irish Derby

Michael Kinane finally captured the one big race missing from his impressive CV when Galileo took the Budweiser Irish Derby in great style, writes Alan Magee.

The Sadler`s Wells colt was always travelling smoothly on the heels of the leaders as Pugin set the pace. Kinane produced him to challenge approaching the two furlongs pole and, just like at Epsom, he quickened up really well. Galileo was eased close home to beat Morshdi by four lengths, with Golan, who finished strongly after losing touch off the home bend, the same distance back in third.

`The beauty of this horse is that he makes everything look so simple`, said a delighted Kinane, while joint owner Michael Tabor commented, `The world`s his oyster`.

Aidan O`Brien said: `He is a very natural horse, and finds it easy to go fast. He has a lot of natural speed. He can go anywhere now, with the King George, Irish Champion Stakes and the Breeders Cup Classic all possible targets. I was never convinced that he was a mile and a half horse as he has such a high cruising speed`.

Cashmans rate Galileo a 5/1 chance for the Breeders Cup behind 2/1 favourite Point Given.

O`Brien earlier recorded another milestone in his illustrious career when breeding his first Group-winning colt, Rock Of Gibraltar, in the Railway Stakes.

Mick Kinane`s mount, denied a clear passage in the Coventry Stakes at Royal Ascot, had no such traffic problems in this Group 3 event. The Danehill colt was up with the pace throughout, and just pushed out to beat stablemate Hawk Wing by two lengths.

`He finished on the bridle at Royal Ascot, and would have done more work at home`, said O`Brien. He added, `He will have a little rest, and could be a Dewhurst horse. Hopefully he will stay a mile next year`.

Co Down rider Fergus Sweeney (23) was successful aboard his first mount at the Curragh when Repertory showed good speed throughout to land the opening Listed race sprint. The 52,000 first place money was also the biggest winning prize for Somerset trainer Malcolm Saunders.

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