Galileo confirms superstar status

30 July 2001

Unbeaten dual Derby winner, Galileo, proved himself the leading horse not only of his generation but of horses in training this year when he asserted his authority over Fantastic Light in Saturday’s showpiece at Ascot.

Frankie Dettori produced Fantastic Light out of the pack with searing speed to cut down Galileo inside the quarter mile pole, but with 200 yards to go he ran on empty and, cheered on by the packed stands, Galileo stretched clear.

“I have always thought a strongly run mile and a half would be too far for him,” said trainer Aidan O’Brien afterwards. “And I thought he was going to get beaten at the furlong marker. I have never been so pleased to be wrong.”

“Great horses only come along very seldom and I would categorise Galileo as a great horse,” said the winner’s jockey Mick Kinane.

. Full report and pictures in Horse & Hound ( 2 August)