Galileo's performance in last weekend's showpiece at Ascot was possibly the finest performance by a 3-Y-O for many years.
His position as the outstanding colt of his age group was already assured following his Epsom and Curragh Derby double, but Saturday's defeat of Fantastic Light moved him onto a different level.
Most top class horses have the ability to quicken during a race, but Galileo was able to perform the manoeuvre twice in the final quarter mile. When Fantastic Light came alongside at the furlong pole we looked set for a titanic tussle, but Galileo lengthened again, enough to sicken any would be challengers.
The stage is set for a re-match in the Irish Champion Stakes at Leopardstown on September 8th and what a wonderful race that promises to be, especially as Fantastic Light will be 5LB better off.
The timely intervention by Mr Justice Brian McCracken that allowed Michael Kinane to Partner Galileo in Saturday's King George was a retrograde step for racing.
Kinane was adjudged to have ridden carelessly at Leopardstown and given the minimum ban that can be imposed for the offence, two days. Whether or not the local stewards should take into account the importance of the races to be missed is another story, but is irrelevant in the context of Kinane's appeal.
The jockey just wanted to ride his dual Derby winner at Ascot and I doubt if he cared too much about how that might be achieved.
Initially the only route open to Kinane was to appeal to the Turf Club and on Friday that appeal was dismissed. This should have been the end of the matter, but then the legal eagles stepped in and turned the case on its head.
Seemingly the two legal teams agreed prior to the appeal that if Kinane should be unsuccessful against the careless riding that he should have a chance to plead for a more lenient sentence. The appeal committee did not adhere to this agreement and off the circus moved to the High Court.
As Kinane had already received the minimum ban for the offence it is hard to understand how the stewards could be more lenient.
The new board for HorseRacing Ireland took shape this week with most of the usual suspects, but a couple of surprises as well.
Denis Brosnan remains at the helm though there will be no Joe Donnelly at his side. The bookmaker was ousted by his association and will be replaced by former representative Seamus Mulvaney.
Jessica Harington topped the Trainers vote leaving Willie Mullins in a difficult position as chairman of their association, but he can at least gain some pleasure from the fact that his friend, Peter McCarthy takes the Owners' seat.
Jockey John Cullen, who has been a breath of fresh air on the jumping circuit this summer with his fearless approach and power-packed finishing, passed an important milestone in his career at Ballinrobe this week. He has now lost the right to claim and will have to compete with the best on level terms. This is often the death-knell for claiming riders, but definitely not for Cullen. He is the finest young jockey in the country at the moment and if remaining injury free has the ability to rise to the top of his chosen profession.
Trainer Jer Lynch also hit the headlines at Ballinrobe, but not for his horses. He won the annual golf outing with an impressive score of 42 stableford points and must now face the wrath of a different handicapper.
Next week's Galway Festival will be a minefield for punters and, while it is difficult at this early stage to predict winners with any degree of certainty, I can give some advice.
Dermot Weld is the undisputed King of Ballybrit and is sure to have a hat-full of winners, but beware of his 'bad' favourites. Many of the lesser lights from his yard start at ridiculous prices over the seven days. Try to avoid any Weld favourite that you would not back if someone else trained it.
The essence of Galway is gossip. Tips are flying around for horses in every race, some good, some bad and some down right malicious. By all means listen to the information, but don't get carried away on the adrenaline. Bide your time and tread carefully, it is a very long week if you are losing.
The fixtures committee will meet in Galway next Tuesday to draw up a provisional list of meetings for 2002. The emphasis is likely to be on Sundays, which remain a consistent earner for the industry. Saturday meetings will be pushed further into the back seat, the bulk of them to be run at lower grade tracks.
