Irish superstar Galileo has romped home to victory in English Derby at Epsom today to give trainer Aidan O'Brien and rider Michael Kinane their second Classic in two days. The 11-4 joint favourite pipped much-fancied Golan to bring more Derby success for Irish-trained horses following Sinndar's exploits last year. The Ballydoyle team have enjoyed five successes in Classics during the season, including yesterday's English Oaks, but this was the one they really wanted to win.
Kinane rode an immaculate race, keeping well positioned on the outside. Once the field straightened out past Tattenham Corner, Kinane decided to strike for home and the son of Sadler's Wells did not fail to respond, sprinting clear to blitz the high-class field by three and a half lengths. Suspended Kieren Fallon's replacement Pat Eddery did little wrong on second-placed joint favourite Golan, but was simply outclassed. Frankie Dettori's mount Tobougg (9-1) came third.
Although ten-times champion sire Sadler's Wells has dominated European racing for more than a decade, he never bred an Epsom Derby winner before. Galileo put the record straight in sensational style.
Aidan O'Brien said that Galileo "is extraordinary, a superstar, a very special horse".
Kinane added to the superlatives, saying, "He has what it takes to make a really great horse: acceleration. He is a great athlete and a beautiful horse."
Michael Tabor, one of the winner's owners, was delighted with the result. He said: "It was an incredible performance. He was always cruising. Mick took it up and really there was no danger. I got the vibes from Aidan and everyone at Ballydoyle that this horse was something special."
Trainer O'Brien was so confident that he had already plotted out an ambitious campaign for 2001: The Epsom Derby, The Eclipse, The King George and Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Ascot followed by the Breeders Cup Classic in the United States. On this showing, the others had better watch out.
Filed by Greg McKevitt
