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Saturday, 28 July, 2001, 14:02 GMT 15:02 UK
Galileo romps to Ascot victory
Galileo is set to become a $100m horse after his Ascot triumph
Irish wonder horse Galileo was hailed as Europe's top racehorse after a thrilling win in the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Diamond Stakes at Ascot.
Galileo, already the winner of the Epsom and Irish Derbies, triumphed by two lengths after a pulsating tussle with Fantastic Light. The contest, watched by a record crfowd of nearly 40,000, will go down as one of the best renewals for years. Odds-on favourite Galileo looked to have the race sewn up with less than two furlongs to go. Then, the Frankie Dettori-ridden Fantastic Light edged ominously alongside at the furlong-marker. However, the brilliant Aidan O'Brien-trained horse found another gear to storm home for another impressive victory in the £750,000 race.
Rider Michael Kinane, who won a High Court fight on Friday over a riding ban in order to partner Galileo, was jubilant. Afterwards, he said Galileo was the best horse he had ever ridden. "He's always in control in a race. He always travels beautifully," said Kinane. "I didn't want to sit down and wait in there because if I waited I knew they were going to queue up around him so I had to move out and he actually idled when he got to the front Unbelievable "Fantastic Light drew up to me for a couple of strides and I just gave my fellow a backhander." Trainer O'Brien added: "It was unbelievable. He was driving like a motor car. "Galileo was tested today. I believe it's the first race he's had. It was too easy in the Derbies. "He had to race in the final furlong and I think that has done him good." It was one of the fastest King Georges, with pacesetters Give the Slip and Ice Dancer setting a furious gallop. Ice dancer tired near the halfway stage of the mile-and-a-half contest. American showdown But Give the Slip went on with Mutamam as three-year-old Galileo, taking on older horses for the first time, lurked in third place. Turning for home, Kinane decided to make his move and cruised to the front, but his advantage was eaten up by the advancing Fantastic Light. As they went eyeball to eyeball, Galileo showed his true class as he accelerated again to win. The horse, which could go on to become the first $100m colt if it takes up a stud offer at the end of the season, has won all of his six starts, including the Epsom and Irish Derbies. His ultimate aim is a showdown with top US horse Point Given in the Breeders' Cup Classic in October. Result:
1st: Galileo 1-2 fav
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