Rising Star for Galileo

26th August 2007

Outstanding prospect New Approach (2c Galileo - Park Express, by Ahonoora) followed in the footsteps of last season’s champion European juvenile Teofilo when winning the Group Two Futurity Stakes at the Curragh on Saturday over seven furlongs.

He has the same trainer Jim Bolger, the same sire in Galileo and quite obviously plenty of the same ability judging by this three-length romp over Curtain Call (Sadler’s Wells) and Henrythenavigator (Kingmambo).

“He’s a lovely horse with tons of ability,” Bolger said.

“He’s easy to train and straightforward and will be as good on good ground. Teofilo was champion two-year-old and a real star, but this is the European version of Secretariat, with a terrific way of galloping.”

New Approach (pictured as a yearling at Goffs) was ridden forward near the lead throughout and never looked like being troubled as he cruised to his third successive win from three starts.

As a result he has now been posted as 8-1 favourite with Stan James for the 2,000 Guineas and is as short as 5-1 with Sky Bet.

The Galileo colt was purchased by Jim Bolger for 430,000 euros at the 2006 Goffs Million Yearling Sale from the draft of Lodge Park Stud and is a half-brother to Group Three winner Dazzling Park and stakes-winning shuttle sire Shinko Forest.

His dam Park Express was the champion filly in Ireland of her time winning five races at two and three including the Group One Phoenix Stakes and she is a half-sister to the stakes-winner Myra’s Best, who found her way to Australia where she produced the Group Three winner Forest Express, who was subsequently exported to Ireland to pursue a stud career.

New Approach is one of a selection of stars this year for Galileo who is currently running third on the leading sires list for Europe behind only Danehill and Montjeu.