For the second year in a row the Irish trained Epsom Derby winner turned the Curragh equivalent into a lap of honour.
On slightly quicker ground than last year Galileo managed to complete the course in a time almost seven seconds faster than Sinndar and that was despite Mick Kinane easing up over the last 100 yards.
Galileo possesses so much speed that a truly run twelve furlongs at the Curragh might have found a chink in his armour. His rider certainly did not think so. Supremely confident, Kinane sent the colt about his business fully two furlongs from home and the response was both immediate and electric. Within a matter of strides the contest was over.
On the subject of Mick Kinane, how can anyone be so cool under pressure? Before Sunday he had won virtually every major race on the globe except the Irish Derby. Seventeen previous attempts had ended in failure, so the least you might expect was a victory wave of the whip as he crossed the line. Not a bit of it, his eyes never moved off straight. No flying dismounts either. He has taken professionalism to new heights.
Within minutes of the race Cashmans Bookmakers came up with a quote of 5/1 about Galileo winning the Breeder's Cup Classic at Belmont in October. Point Given is their 2/1 favourite; he must be some horse.
The disqualification of Rapid Deployment in the Two-mile handicap on Derby day was surprising. As the Pat Hughes runner came with his run he was switched out at the furlong pole and caused interference to Palacio. At that moment Rapid Deployment was in fourth and Palacio in fifth. Rapid Deployment went on to finish second while Palacio could manage no better than sixth.
Rapid Deployment was adjudged to have improved his position as a result of the interference. I can't see how, even without the interference, that Rapid Deployment could have finished behind Palacio.
Had Rapid Deployment won the race I don't believe he would have been disqualified. When was the last winner thrown out for causing interference? Think about it, there are stewards enquiries called almost every day of the week, but no winners get disqualified.
Another strange twist to the Rapid Deployment enquiry was that Wayne Smith, rider of Palacio, was cautioned regarding the accuracy of his evidence. Obviously he did not agree with the stewards view either.
Few top flat jockeys venture to Tramore these days and fewer would bother for a ten-year-old maiden without a run for nine months.
Apprentices cannot afford such luxuries and if you are a girl you must be even less discerning. The fairer sex fight an endless uphill battle to etch out a living in a sport that shows no mercy.
Catherine Gannon fights the fight better than most and her victory aboard Majestic Mariner last Tuesday will only enhance her growing reputation.
Dumped by the gelding before the start, few would have blamed her for taking it easy around the tight circuit and settling for her percentage of the ridingfee.
Not Catherine, she sent her mount into a clear lead, steadied the pace halfway allowing the field to close before kicking clear again approaching the straight.
Too often riding performances of this calibre get missed because they occur at minor mid-week meetings, but it is precisely there that the stars of tomorrow first display their talents and hone the skills which one day may provide them with their very own Galileo.
Leopardstown is going through a period of change and whether or not the impending motorway has anything to do with it, two major sponsors have jumped ship.
Both Golden Pages and Esat Digifone have disconnected. New recruits are already onboard, Marlborough International will sponsor the whole card on July 21st, while the Champion Stakes sponsor with be unveiled this Wednesday.
