Another Superstar for Galileo

17th September 2007

The Jim Bolger trained New Approach (2c Galileo - Park Express, by Ahonoora) emerged from the Group One National Stakes at The Curragh on Sunday unbeaten, after defeating highly rated Rio de La Plata by a length and three-quarters with previously unbeaten Myboycharlie in third place.

With four wins from as many starts New Approach is looking very much as though he will follow in the footsteps of last year’s champion European two year-old colt Teofilo (Galileo - Speirbahn, by Danehill) , who was also sired by Galileo and trained by Bolger.

Teofilo also won the Curragh National Stakes at his fourth race start and then added the Group One Dewhurst Stakes at Newmarket for good measure.

New Approach controlled this race throughout after being asked to go forward and lead. He cruised along in his comfort zone before accelerating over the final furlong to put the issue beyond doubt.

“Everything went well in the race, and he had plenty in the tank at the line. He's a mile to mile-and-a-half horse, and we will always be ensuring an adequate pace as long as he's running over seven furlongs, but when he steps up next year he can be
rated,” said Bolger.

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 (now aged 24) 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.

So many buyers seem to steer away from the progeny of older mares such as Park Express who was 21 when she produced New Approach, but in this case she seems to have saved the best for last!

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.