Galileo is the key to Epsom Derby success Few could have foreseen the impact Galileo would have on the Epsom Derby when the colt won the 2001 renewal by 3 1/2 lengths from Golan. Galileo went on to become the world’s greatest stallion, surpassing Danehill’s record number of Group 1 winning progeny when the filly Peaceful became his 85th individual winner at the top level when she landed the 2020 Irish 1000 Guineas. Five sons of Galileo - New Approach, Ruler Of The World, Australia, Anthony Van Dyck and Serpentine - have followed in his footsteps to win the Epsom Derby. He has also had three grandsons achieve the same feat - Masar, Adayar and Desert Crown. Galileo passed away in July 2021, but his legacy lives on and this year 11 more of his sons have been entered for the Epsom showpiece. 26 more of the entries for this year’s race are sons of Galileo’s own sons - Australia, Churchill, Frankel, Nathanial, New Approach and Ulysses. A further 14 or the 103 entries for the £1,600,000 race taking place at 1.30pm on June 3 are out of daughters of Galileo. So in total 51 of the 103 contenders have a close link to the 2001 winner of the race and the sire that is responsible for 8 of the last 15 winners of the Epsom Derby. The last two Epsom Derbys have been won by Galileo’s grandsons, Desert Crown in 2022 (by Nathaniel) and Adayar in 2021 (by Frankel). Nathaniel is the sire of three entries this time while five Frankel colts are also among the possible runners. Japanese Sires are beginning to have a big influence on this side of the world and both Deep Impact and his son Saxon Warrior have strong representation in this season’s Classic. Derby Winners this Century Year Winner Sire Grandsire 2022 Desert Crown Nathaniel Galileo 2021 Adayar Frankel Galileo 2020 Serpentine Galileo Sadler’s Wells 2019 Anthony Van Dyck Galileo Sadler’s Wells 2018 Masar New Approach Galileo 2017 Wings Of Eagles Pour Moi Montjeu 2016 Harzand Sea The Stars Cape Cross 2015 Golden Horn Cape Cross Green Desert 2014 Australia Galileo Sadler’s Wells 2013 Ruler Of The World Galileo Sadler’s Wells 2012 Camelot Montjeu Sadler’s Wells 2011 Pour Moi Montjeu Sadler’s Wells 2010 Workforce King’s Best Sadler’s Wells 2009 Sea The Stars Cape Cross Green Desert 2008 New Approach Galileo Sadler’s Wells 2007 Authorized Montjeu Sadler’s Wells 2006 Sir Percy Mark Of Esteem Darshaan 2005 Motivator Montjeu Sadler’s Wells 2004 North Light Danehill Danzig 2003 Kris Kin Kris S Roberto 2002 High Chaparral Sadler’s Wells Northern Dancer 2001 Galileo Sadler’s Wells Northern Dancer 2000 Sinndar Grand Lodge Chief’s Crown Let’s look at the leading contenders in this year’s race from a breeding perspective: The Contenders Auguste Rodin The longtime ante post favourite has been Auguste Rodin trained by Aidan O’Brien. This horse flopped when a short-priced favourite for the 2000 Guineas at Newmarket, but remains highly regarded by his connections. He is the son of Japanese sire Deep Impact out of a Galileo mare called Rhododendron who herself finished second in the 2017 Epsom Oaks. The Derby distance should suit Auguste Rodin. Arrest Shot to the head of the betting markets for the Derby with an impressive seasonal debut in the Chester Vase. He is one of the few contenders for this year’s race that is already proven over the Derby distance of one mile and four furlongs. Arrest is a son of Frankel (grandson of Galileo) who sired the 2021 winner Adayar. Military Order The Charlie Appleby-trained Military Order is another colt that has moved to the top of the ante post lists for the Epsom Derby after his Derby Trial victory at Lingfield on 13 May. In common with Appleby’s 2021 winner of the race, Adayar, this colt is also by Galileo’s son Frankel. Passenger This grandson of Galileo by Ulysses marked himself out as a potential Derby winner with a luckless third in the Dante Stakes at York on only his second start. Passenger represents Sir Michael Stoute who was successful at Epsom last year with Desert Crown.. Sprewell Sprewell entered the Epsom picture after an impressive victory in a Derby trial at Leopardstown in early May. He is by Churchill, a son of Galileo, who never raced beyond 10 furlongs and his dam was also best over shorter distances, but this fellow seems to possess plenty of stamina. The one word of caution is that Sprewell has a definite preference for soft ground. The Foxes Another grandson of Galileo by Churchill is one of the most experienced contenders for this year’s race with six races under his belt. The Foxes' latest victory in the Dante Stakes at York gives him the ideal springboard for a shot at the Derby as 6 of the last 18 winners at Epsom raced in the York race prior to victory.
