Galileo has leading 2009 Derby contender

12th October 2008

Connections of Kite Wood (2c Galileo-Kite Mark, by Mark Of Esteem) were dreaming of big things in 2009 after the Galileo colt beat some high-class rivals to impressively win the G3 Autumn Stakes at Ascot on Saturday.

The Elsdon Farms-bred colt, who is trained by Michael Jarvis, was bought by owner Thomas Barr for 270,000gns as a yearling at Tattersalls last year and is now unbeaten in two starts.

"I'm delighted - he can gallop and he can quicken up a bit," said Jarvis, after the Ascot success. "He's finished for the year and we'll see what happens in the spring but I think he's a middle-distance horse rather than a Guineas horse - a 10-12 furlong sort."

Jockey Philip Robinson added: "I love this horse. He’s nice and relaxed and doesn’t do too much. You think he’s going to be keen, but he switches off and feels lovely in your hands."

Kite Wood is 12/1 joint-favourite with Paddy Power to emulate his sire in next year’s Derby at Epsom.