HE may have been euthanised at age 23 due to a debilitating hoof injury just weeks ago, however the legacy left by world renowned Irish bred stallion Galileo, is phenomenal.
Galileo's breeding - by world iconic sire Sadler's Wells and produced from Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe-G1 winner Urban Sea (by Miswaki), suggested he should excel, but none could envisage just how much of a world influence he would become.
But first he was a champion racehorse when trained by Aidan O'Brien at Ballydoyle, Ireland, winning his first six races including the Epsom English Derby-G1 followed by the Irish Derby-G1 and King George VI And Queen Elizabeth Stakes-G1 in 2001.
Galileo's only defeats was second to Fantastic Light in the Irish Champion Stakes-G1, before travelling to America where his one and final start was sixth to Tiznow in the Breeders's Cup Classic-G1 at Belmont Park, New York.
Following his sire's hoof-prints to stand at Coolmore Stud near Fethard, Galileo became an immediate stud success, before being crowned champion GB and Ireland sire on a dozen occasions, and leading sire twice, and was a two-time champion sire in France.
Galileo's winners are close to 1600, which included over 330 stakes winners.
He sired five English Derby winners (Australia, New Approach, Ruler Of The World, Anthony Van Dyck and Serpentine) - and to date 91 Group One winners.
Now his sons are continuing the sireline with 20 of these siring its own Group One winners including the Sir Henry Cecil trained unbeaten Frankel and New Approach, and in Australia Adelaide and Teofilo, including one of the latter's Group 1 winning sire son Kermadec, now sire of Group 1 winning filly Montefilia.
Galileo's daughters have also been a hit with breeders, and have produced globally 206 stakes winners highlighted by 34 Group I winners including this year's European star St Mark's Basilica.
Currently there are six sons at stud by Galileo in Australia, three Irish bred which would be considered commercial stallions - the proven Adelaide, and the younger Churchill, both standing at Coolmore, Jerrys Plains, and international racing star Highland Reel, at Swettenham Stud, Nagambie, Victoria.
Smashing winner of the 2014 MVRC W S Cox Plate-G1, Adelaide has found prominent stud success highlighting with Group 1 winner Funstar.
Vale Bernardini
BERNARDINI, a US bred horse which shuttled as a high-profile stallion for eight southern seasons to Godolphin's NSW stud base "Kelvinside", Aberdeen, was reported to have died due to complications of laminitis at age 18 at his US base of Jonabell Farm in Kentucky last month.
By champion US Seattle Slew sire, A P Indy, Bernardini won six of his eight starts including the second leg of the US three-year-old Triple Crown Preakness Stakes-G1, as well as celebrated New York, Saratoga, race Travers Stakes-G1. Bernardini retired to Jonabell Farm in 2007 and has globally sired 80 stakes winners including 15 Group 1 winners.
The brown stallion was the sire of Chris Waller's memorable five-times Group 1 winner Boban, and other Group 1 winners Go Indy Go and Ruud Awakening.
Bernardini's broodmares are now fast becoming valuable, with 54 stakes winners produced from his daughters including Group I ATC Australian Derby winner Angel of Truth. In May this year Bernardini became the youngest stallion - as a broodmare sire, to reach 50 stakes winners.
Easterly Breezing
FOUR-year-old mare, Eastern Breeze began his 2021-22 racing season on a bright note when winning over 1000 metres at Narrandera mid this month.
Also winning at Narrandera in June, Eastern Breeze is one of only a couple of horses in the stables of veteran trainer Peter Clancy, the only conditioner at Leeton.
By Vinery Stud's highly successful stallion All Too Hard, Eastern Breeze cost his Sydney owner $32,000 when sold from his breeders and sellers Bowness Stud, Young, at the Inglis Classic Yearling Sale.
Training since the early 1970s, 83-year-old Clancy has been a renowned mentor for up and coming young country jockeys and has initiated the careers of several successful hoops including brothers Tim and Brad Clark, John Kissick, and Nick Heywood.