Irish jockey Michael Kinane won a High Court order yesterday allowing him to ride hot favourite Galileo in the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Diamond Stakes at Ascot today. The order prevented the Irish Turf Club from upholding a two-day ban imposed for careless riding earlier this month at Leopardstown races and due to come into force yesterday. Kinane's lawyer Ercus Stewart described Galileo as "probably the best horse ever to come out of this country."
The judge, Justice McCracken, said Stewart had made out a statable case and granted an interim order, saying there was "enormous detriment" for Kinane if he could not ride on Saturday but less for the Turf Club who had no financial interest. The matter was postponed until August 8. The King George is always one of the highlights of the season but this year promises to be one of the best ever. The race is on today at 3.50pm. Dual Derby winner Galileo is up against Godolphin's Fantastic Light, the World Series champion and mount of Frankie Dettori. "It will be the race of the year," said Saeed bin Suroor, trainer of Fantastic Light. Bookmakers have Galileo at 1-2 with Fantastic Light at 9-4 and French Derby winner Anabaa Blue at 10-1. A field of 12 contests the race with $620,800 to the winner.
