The victory of Peaceful in the Irish 1000 Guineas was not only her first stakes victory but also a significant one for her sire Galileo.
The win edged Galileo past his former barnmate Danehill as the leading sire of Group or Grade 1 winners in the world on 85 and, ironically, Galileo’s first Group 1 winner also came in the Irish 1000 Guineas thanks to Nightime in 2006.
At 22 and with four crops still available to him, it is not inconceivable Galileo could achieve a century of Group 1 winners before he is finished.
Advertised as ‘private’ at Coolmore since 2008, Galileo continues to be the benchmark against which all modern stallions are judged.
His unbeaten son Frankel is establishing his own record however, even that horses most ardent fan might be pressed to say he will sire over 300 stakes winners in his career.
If there is an anomaly on Galileo’s stud record it is his time in Australia.
As unthinkable as it seems now, Galileo shuttled to Australia for five seasons (2002 through 2006) and from 565 live foals conceived at fees between A$55,000 and $35,750 got 18 stakes winners headed by Group 1 winners Linton and Niwot as well as Igugu, which won four times at Group 1 level in South Africa.
One can only surmise it is a question of pedigrees and training practices, as Galileo has had European-trained Adelaide, Magic Wand, The United States, Cape Of Good Hope, Foundry and Seville all win at the highest level.
Of course, that blip (if it can be described as that) in no way diminishes what is a record of unparalleled excellence and we can only hope he lives for several more years.