Soldier continues dream weekend for Galileo
17th September 2007
On Friday his daughter Lush Lashes (2f Galileo-Dance For Fun, by Anabaa) won 1 million euros on her racecourse debut and on Sunday, Galileo’s incredible run continued when, in the space of 10 minutes he completed a major Group-race double.
Just prior to New Approach (2c Galileo-Park Express, by Ahonoora)’s victory in the G1 National Stakes, Soldier Of Fortune (3c Galileo-Affianced, by Erins Isle), bred by Jim Bolger, marked himself a leading contender for the G1 Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe when winning the G2 Prix Niel at Longchamp.
The Prix Niel has supplied eight of the last 10 Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe winners and, after Soldier Of Fortune’s gutsy length-and-a-half success from the Niarchos home-bred Sagara (3c Sadler’s Wells-Rangoon Ruby, by Kingmambo), many felt that record would continue.
"He's a lovely horse. He won the Irish Derby by ten lengths and it was no fluke. He is a very high class horse," said jockey Johnny Murtagh. "He has improved a lot from the Epsom Derby. They either come on from the Epsom Derby or die and this horse has definitely come forward. He has a great attitude and a great mind.
"There is a lot of improvement in him. He loved the track, will appreciate a little more ease in the ground but he would be a live contender. If it came to a battle I don't think he would let you down."