Nine-length Irish Derby winner is Galileo’s latest classic star
1st July 2007
The Galileo colt Soldier Of Fortune (3c Galileo-Affianced by Erin’s Isle) ran out one of the most-impressive modern-day Classic winners when leading home a 1-2-3 for Coolmore stallions in the G1 Irish Derby at the Curragh on Sunday.
Seamus Heffernan partnered the winner to a remarkable nine-length success from Alexander Of Hales (3c Danehill-Legend Maker by Sadler’s Wells) with the London Thoroughbred Services-bred Eagle Mountain (3c Rock Of Gibraltar-Masskana by Darshaan) a short-head further back in third.
Soldier Of Fortune was bred by one of Galileo’s biggest fans, trainer Jim Bolger, and took the lead two furlongs from home before galloping away to a brilliant success.
The Galileo colt was second in the G1 Criterium de Saint-Cloud as a juvenile and won the G2 Prix Noailles and G3 Chester Vase this year before finishing fifth in the G1 Derby at Epsom.
"We've always thought this was a very good horse. He was unlucky in a G1 in France last year and won his first two starts this year," said trainer Aidan O’Brien, who saddled the first three home in the G1 Irish Derby
"He was in good form physically going into Epsom and working well but he didn't have a smile on his face. But after that race his expression changed and he has been coming into the barn every morning with a smile on his face.
"He has been improving all the time and has definitely been happier since Epsom and his expression has been totally different. The G1 King George & Queen Elizabeth Diamond Stakes is a definite possibility, but there are other horses in there like Dylan Thomas and Scorpion. We will sit down and have a meeting during the week and everything will be decided.
"He is a very exciting horse, he is very special. He travels great and quickens well, and I think he will come on again for this."
Galileo is no stranger to Classic success, responsible for the first three home in the G1 St Leger last season and also the sire of 2006 G1 Irish 1,000 Guineas heroine Nightime (4f Galileo-Caumshinaun by Indian Ridge).
