Coolmore chief John Magnier has paid tribute to world-leading stallion Galileo, who has died at the age of 23, describing the 2001 Epsom derby winner as a horse that leaves a "lasting legacy".
He said: "It is a very sad day, but we all feel incredibly fortunate to have had Galileo here at Coolmore.
"I would like to thank the dedicated people who looked after him so well all along the way. He was always a very special horse to us and he was the first Derby winner we had in Ballydoyle in the post M V O'Brien era.
"I would also like to thank Aidan and his team for the brilliant job they did with him. The effect he is having on the breed through his sons and daughters will be a lasting legacy, and his phenomenal success really is unprecedented."
On a recent visit to Coolmore to see the late #Galileo, John Magnier and Aidan O'Brien told @rtesport just how great a racehorse and stallion he was. pic.twitter.com/qAObKAnZu9
— RTÉ Racing (@RTEracing) July 10, 2021
The sire of Frankel and so many other great champions, the son of Sadler's Wells was a brilliant racehorse in his own right for trainer Aidan O'Brien.
His finest hour came at Epsom in that 2001 Derby, following up in the Irish Derby and the King George VI And Queen Elizabeth Stakes.
O'Brien said of his incomparable star: "He was an unbelievable horse for everybody involved with him. What he did was exceptional.
"John did an incredible job managing him and recognised the mares that were going to suit him.
"He recognised how good he was very young and he was always so highly thought of before he even came to Ballydoyle.
"He was our first Derby winner from Ballydoyle and we were so fortunate to have him.
"It's an incredible story and obviously we'll probably never see it ever again."
Galileo - all class in the 2001 Derby @EpsomRacecourse under Mick Kinane ❤️
— Racing TV (@RacingTV) July 10, 2021
A wonderful and remarkable thoroughbred that leaves behind an incredible legacy. @coolmorestud pic.twitter.com/PozVJpmmko
Coolmore said in a statement on Saturday: "Regretfully our world-renowned Champion Sire Galileo was put to sleep earlier today on humane grounds owing to a chronic, non-responsive, debilitating injury to the left fore foot."
