Stephen Baster guided the Danny O’Brien trained Galen to victory in the Blue Diamond 2nd Acceptance Handicap (1000m) at Sandown this afternoon to register the first southern hemisphere success for the Epsom Derby hero Galileo (IRE).

Made the punters elect following a length second on debut behind Kaphero at Flemington on December 26, Galen (Galileo-Ginzano by Mister C) sat on the pace set by Sinikka (Distant Music) before wresting control from that colt at the 200m to draw clear by one and a quarter lengths with Tsubasa (Danzero) holding on well for third a further three-quarters of a length back.

An $80,000 purchase from the Collingrove Stud consignment at the 2005 Easter Yearling sale, Galen is a half brother to two winners including the multiple Sydney winner Octzano (Octagonal).
His dam Ginzano is a multiple stakes winner of five races including the STC Reisling Slipper Trial (G2). She is a full sister to the unraced Patronella the dam of stakes winners Smytzer’s Trish and Stella Artois the dam of SAJC Breeders’ Stakes (G2) and MRC Merson Cooper Stakes (LR) winner Freestyle.
Coolmore Stud’s Galileo won six of his eight starts including the Epsom Derby, King George VI & Queen Elizabeth Stakes and Irish Derby. A son of perennial European champion Sadler’s Wells his dam Urban Sea (Miswaki) earned Champion Older Mare in Europe honours with eight wins including the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe (G1).
Galileo shuttles between Coolmore Stud's , Irish and Australian divisions where his 2005 fee was listed as $35,750.

Mark Smith - Saturday, 7 January 2006