It was Friday 25th September 2015 and a very modestly bred little filly by Sire ALL AMERICAN out of bush mare CONDESAAR, who had 2 career starts consisting of an 8th of 14 at Muswellbrook and a 12th of 14 at Cessnock was sent to the trials for the first time.
The fillys name was YANKEE ROSE, and was under the care of trainer Clarry Connors, her trial was very much just a run of the mill trial as she worked home under her own steam to run 4th, ridden by Sam Clipperton. Big Clarry mustn’t have been too overly impressed by what he saw in said trial as the horse was then moved on by Syndicators Derby Racing to David Van Dyke, known my many in racing simply as DVD.
When you take into account that the initial purchase price of Yankee Rose was a mere $10,000 as a yearling what took place over the next few months is truly mind boggling and for the owners must have been some ride indeed as she won 3 of her first 4 runs, banking an incredible 1.6 Million dollars prizemoney.
She only won 1 more race, the G1 Spring Champion stakes, from a subsequent 6 more starts, but was notably Disqualified from her Group1 second placing in the G1 Flight Stakes due to the presence of a banned Anti-Inflammatory called Ketorolac. DVD was fined $25,000 and maintained his innocence with his Vet declaring on record the horse was administered an injection into her fetlocks 8 days before the race, the limit being 7 days.
Also another a few other notable things about YANKEE ROSE’s career was that she ran second in the G1 Golden Slipper to CAPITALIST. Also that she was the first filly ever in history to win the G1 Spring Champion Stakes, beating the now stud stallion SWEAR. Following that win she was aimed at the 2016 Cox Plate, after running a massive race with Dean Yendall wasting, getting down to 47.5kg for the ride she ran third to the great mare WINX who won her second of 4 Cox Plates.
After her gallant display in the Cox Plate there were rumours that DVD was floating the idea of sending her to the Oaks, run over the stamina sapping 2500 metres. And the rumours proved to be true as she was entered for the Oaks and after a hype train that hasn’t been seen with many horses since, she was sensationally sent out as a heavily backed $1.95 Favourite.
After a cushy run she was presented by Yendall at the turn to the home straight but offered very little, fading to run 14th in the 15 horse field. The winner of the race was the Lee Curtis trained LASQUETI SPIRIT at 151-1 courtesy of a ride from Brenton Avdulla which can only be described as something off the computer game G1 Jockey rather than anything you would see in real life!
After recuperating from her Oaks sojourn YANKEE ROSE was went to Queensland for two eagerly anticipated trials in preparation for a comeback, she beat a horse now racing in North Queensland called JACK LANCASTER by 0.3L in the second trial and the alarm bells were ringing. She only had one more start in the 2017 edition of Memsie Stakes where she clearly wasn’t right running 9th of 11 runners.
Now is where the story gets absurd. After her failure in the Memsie she was nominated for the Makybe Diva Stakes, but word filtered through that the owners had decided to sell her to Japanese interests. This quote is from the Courier Mail, Published on 13/9/17:
“Queensland Horse of the Year Yankee Rose could have run her last race, with her owners making the decision to sell the dual Group 1-winning mare. The four-year-old was scheduled to run in Saturday’s Makybe Diva Stakes, but was not among acceptors on Wednesday.Trainer David Vandyke said Yankee Rose was ‘half a grade lame’ in one of her feet on Wednesday morning, but not the one that has caused her troubles in the past. Additionally, she has swelling in her off fore fetlock.”
The main thing to remember here is that she was sold to Japan for an undisclosed amount, presumably at least 1.5-2 million, so add that onto the 2 million dollar prizemoney she won in her whirlwind 10 start career and you are at about 4 million dollars all from a 10k yearling which is pretty mind-blowing no matter which was you look at it.
After being covered by one of the now deceased Demi-Gods of international horse racing DEEP IMPACT and producing a filly which was sold for 2.75 million in 2019. She was supposed to be covered again by the great horse himself but he was withdrawn from stud duties so in his place she was covered by son of Deep Impact, Saxon Warrior. The next year she then went on to be covered by Japanese sprinting sensation LORD KANALOA and as a result foaled a colt. Now is where it starts to get hard to fathom, her son went through the ring and was sold for a eye watering 4.49 million dollars AUD.
So next time someone tells you that you are wasting your time with modestly bred horses just remember a 10k yearling by a run of the mill sire, out of a 2 start maiden bush mare went on to win 2 million dollars prize money, 2nd in a slipper, 3rd in a Cox Plate, then was sold for another 2 million then produced a 2.75 million dollar filly then a 4.45 million dollar colt. Dreams do come true and Miracles can happen! The ownership group of Yankee Rose surely used up their entire lifetimes luck in one hit by scoring her, and what a ride it would have been! The stuff dreams are made of.
LORD KANALOA X YANKEE ROSE COLT WHO SOLD FOR 4.49 MILLION AUD
There is nothing better than a story of a battler in racing, and Yankee Rose, who was transferred stables after one trial, seemingly bound for a life of mediocrity ended up earning her owners 4 million dollars and went on to produce progeny valued to the tune of at least 7.2 Million AUD. Astounding by anyones measure.
I hope she keeps producing high class progeny long into the future. She was only around for a short time but my oh my did she create an impression. Yankee Rose – The Little ATM on legs.
The fourth major of the year is upon us and the quest for The Open Championships iconic trophy, the claret jug, begins Thursday.
If you’re a golf tragic like me you’ll be be up most nights this weekend catching all the action from Royal St George’s on the Kent Coastline. Yes you read that correctly, nights!
The Open boasts one of the more viewing friendly timeslots for us Aussies with action starting from 3:30pm Thursday and Friday and 6:00pm over Saturday and Sunday.
The picturesque fairways are surrounded by dangerous, ball swallowing rough, so driving accuracy will be key. This spells bad new for Byrson Dechambeau who whilst leading the PGA in driver distance ranks a measly 189th in accuracy hitting 53% of fairways. Whilst bad news for Bryson, this opens the door for one of our best bets of the week :
Colin Morikawa.
Morikawa currently sits 1 spot outside the top 10 in accuracy off the tee and 2nd in GIR. Morikawa has finished in the top 20 in all of this years majors with a stand out 4th place at the US Open earlier this year, we think he is primed for victory.
Best Bets: We like Colin Morikawa to win, but cannot go past him to finish in the top 10 at $3.75
Value Bets: All aboard the Spieth hype train, Lots of insiders backing Jordan to FINALLY break his major drought this weekend – He’s currently paying $17 to take it out, or if your like us jump on Colin Morikawa for the outright win at $31.
Multi Bet: We’ve gone with Tyrell Hatton, Brooks Koepka and Cam Smith to finish in the top 20 at $17
R2 – 1100m 2. ALL OF BRIGHTON (2nd/9) Jumped out casually and settled last of 10. Came of fence into the straight. Saw daylight at the 200m and with a few reminders of the stick, turbos kicked in just falling short on the line.
R5 – 2000m 2. FALLS (1st/12) Don’t often add horse’s after a win, however he looked good taking the front running up after first few furlongs in the back straight. Was comfortable in the run and never really threatened. Solid win.
Doomben 10/97/21
Track Rating: Soft7
R2 – 2200m 10. TOP ORDER (3rd/8) Settle second last most of the trip. Started his run at the 650m mark . With one horse dropping out of the race, was last on the bend. Showed alot of courage passing the outside of the field to be in the finish. Hitting line hard for third, half a length off the winner. Is due and a repeat of that effort wil have hi winning soon.
R5 1200m 9. LUSKIN HERO (3rd/9) Was going for three in a row here and up in grade to a class 3. Mid fied most the way when found traffic in the straight. Found daylight at the 200m mark and kept coming when the winner and second had a start on him. Showed toughness after being held up and get going again, hitting line hard for third.
Our Victorian Tipster Mitchell Bennett aka Phil McTips is back with something a little different, he has put together a mixed set with tips at both Sandown and Murray Bridge.
Gamble Responsibly!
(Prices are current at 10am Wednesday 14th July 2021 through NSW TAB)
SANDOWN:
R1. Mynumerouno ($2.60)
R2.TWO HORSE PLAY: Twist Of Fury/Nantucket E/W ($3.60/$1.70) & ($12/$3.70)
R5. Lady D’Oro (Best Value) ($8.50/$2.70)
R7. Loveplanet (Best Bet) ($3.10)
R8. Fast N Deep E/W ($6/$2.10)
MURRAY BRIDGE:
R1. Historic ($2.30)
R5. Lutz (Next Best) ($3.40)
R6. TWO HORSE PLAY: Kishstar/Cibachrome E/W ($5/$2) & ($9.50/$3.10)
R7. Picaroon ($3.80)
BEST BET – Sandown R7 #10 Loveplant ($3.10)
NEXT BEST – Murray Bridge R5 #5 Lutz ($3.40)
BEST VALUE – Sandown R5 #7 Lady D’Oro ($8.50/$2.70)
On a cold and wintery day nearing the end of the Irish winter on 30th March 1998, a regally bred Colt was born, as they say he was “bred in the Purple” in every sense of the phrase, being by blue chip Stallion SADLER’S WELLS, out of 1993 Arc De Triomphe winning mare URBAN SEA.
Arguably the #1 breed shaper of our lifetime, GALILEO was bred by the owner of glamour mare URBAN SEA Mr David Tsui in partnership with an organisation listed as ‘Orpendale’, a name known to be used by Coolmore Stud, as an arm of their breeding operation. He only raced once as a 2 year old, winning by about 14 lengths on a Heavy track at Leopardstown. The writing was on the wall.
At his third start in a race he lined up in the Epson Derby Trial at odds on where he put his 4 opponents away with ease. He then, incredibly, headed to the Epsom Derby at just his 4th career start where he careered away late in the race to win by 3.5L beating an all star field including TOUBOUGG and GOLAN, who jumped as joint 11/4 ($2.75) Favourite.
At his next start, also known as the Irish Derby Demolition where he was sent out as short priced favourite at 4/11 ($1.36) was GALILEO cementing his place as not only a genuine, bona fide “freak”, as labelled by Irish Derby Runner Up MORSHDI’s jockey Phillip Robinson but also as one of the most exciting stallion prospects in European Horse Racing in a long time. His rider Mick Kinane claimed his first Irish Derby victory from 17 previous attempts. There seemed to be an aura of invincibility surrounding the horse which grew exponentially with each win, with Kinane being quoted as saying:
“There is no weakness to him, he is a dream to ride”
His next start where he lined up against the older horses in the King George VI & Queen Elizabeth Diamond Stakes will go down in UK racing history as the day Galileo took the mantle as the #1 thoroughbred in both UK and European Racing. His stirring duel down the straight with the Lanfranco Dettori ridden FANTASTIC LIGHT was a sight to behold as they went stride for stride and FL even getting its nose in front for a moment with the 3 year old GALILEO knuckling down and getting the upper hand and streaking away to win, whipping the crowd into nothing short a rapture. He in turn became the 26th three year old winner to win the King George VI & Queen Elizabeth Stakes.
They faced off for round 2 a few months later in the Irish Champion Stakes at Leopardstown. Galileo went in to the race with an unbeaten record from 6 starts, including the Epsom Derby win and Irish Derby win. The only fly in the ointment for the great horse seemed to be that he was he was dropping back in distance to one and a quarter miles. This would prove to be crucial in the outcome of the race.
Coolmore had adopted the use of a Pacemaker for the race, ICE DANCER was sent to the lead at nothing short of a break neck speed, at one stage getting 10 lengths in the front of the field. The other jockeys paid no attention to the pacemaker though, letting him go and subsequently hit a brick wall in the straight.
Rider of FANTASTIC LIGHT, the indomitable Frankie Dettori made his move on the turn for home, Kinane, riding on instinct, idled up to his sworn rival and as a result the two favoured horses in the market paired off for the last quarter of a mile in a race for the ages with some labelling it the greatest 2 horse duel ever seen in the history of the sport with FANTASTIC LIGHT winning by a head on the line.
Facing defeat for the first time at his 7th start, albeit narrowly in the Irish Champion the rumours were that GALILEO would be sent to America to run in the Breeders Plate on Dirt. The rumours proved to be true with Coolmore releasing a statement declaring their intention for the horse to run in the infamous Breeders Cup Race held on dirt at Belmont Park in New York. He was prepared for the race by working extensively on the artificial surface at Southwell, essentially replicating as close as possible the track on which GALILEO would run what turned out to be his swan song. Also the race touted and marketed around being the 3rd time GALILEO & FANTASTIC LIGHT would face off but that took a left turn when FL was removed from the race in favour of running on the Turf.
After jumping well and finding a good position in running GALILEO failed to quicken whatsoever and just plodded away into 6th place and was as a result retired on the spot and was to be sent to stud at Coolmore Stud.
A sad end to the career of a truly prodigious talent who was bred to be a champion and became exactly that, this is where the magnitude and impact GALILEO will and has had in the past, present and future of the Thoroughbred Horse Racing industry really starts to become apparent.
He sired a total of 92 Group 1 winners including, but not limited to: FRANKEL , AUSTRALIA, NATHANIEL, RIP VAN WINKLE, RULER OF THE WORLD, GLENEAGLES, CHURCHILL, SERPENTINE, MINDING, CAPE BLANCO, GOLDEN LILAC, LOVE, Cox Plate winner ADELAIDE and the ill fated Classic winner ANTHONY VAN DYK. Also Another son of his HIGHLAND REEL ran third to Winx in her first Cox Plate win in 2015.
I think its safe to say that GALILEO is sire of the best horse we have ever layed eyes on a race track in FRANKEL, and that influence alone he could go down as easily one of the most influential sires of all time. And just to top it off his half brother SEA THE STARS, is whispered by some to have been an even better horse on the track but never reached the heights as a sire that his half brother did, and this just shows that no matter which way you approach it, GALILEO is easily one of, if not the most dominant sire of all time. He has taken the SADLER WELL’s bloodline and turned out into one of the most profitable ventures in history.
It is believed that even as a 23 year old, which was how old he was when he died that Coolmore were commanding anywhere from 250,000 Euro to 600,000 Euro to cover a single mare. This is believed to have raked Coolmore in at least Forty Million Euro a year, and remember he was sent to stud at the end of his 3yo year. So thats just shy of 20 years at stud, at minimum 40 Million Euro a year – you do the maths.
In the 2019 Epson Derby he was the Sire, Grandsire or Great-Grandsire of 12 of the 13 runners lining up in the field, a mind-blowing feat that showed on paper just how much GALILEO had a stranglehold on UK/European breeding and will a long long time into the future. When you consider a Breed Shaper of the past NORTHERN DANCER was retired to stud in 1965 and retired from stud duties in 1987 and still is one of the biggest influences in racing today just shows how long Stallions live on, long after they pass away physically. And GALILEO will be no exception.
He was named after famed Italian Astronomer, Engineer & Physicist Galileo Galilee. Lauded by many as “the father of Modern Science”, only fitting that the horse who took the great mans name would himself turn out to be a Father to many, many champions and in saying that, he fathered MANY that simply, for whatever reason had zero talent, costing their owners dearly.
In one way it would be easy to look at the future of horse racing with some sense of anxiety as in, no more GALILEO so who will step into the fray and become the next doyen of international breeding? Will it be a non group 1 winner? A trend which has proved very fruitful in Australia with leading sure I AM INVINCIBLE’s biggest scalp being the Group3 D C McKay Stakes in Morphettville. Admittedly he did run second at his next start in the Group1 Goodwood Handicap, but the point being, he never won a Group1 Race.
Will GALILEO be the last Blueblood to be a success at stud? Like I said earlier he was bred to be a champion and he became one, something that from my burgeoning knowledge of the sport seems to be a lightning strike moment, a true anomaly, never guaranteed to happen again ,thats for sure and certain.
Rest in Peace Galileo – A true once in a lifetime Horse.
I will finish with a Quote from Galileo Galilee which in it contains a reference to Horse Racing:
“The number of people who can reason well is much smaller than those that can reason badly. If reasoning were like hauling rocks, than several reasoners might be better than one. But reasoning isn’t like hauling rocks, its like, its like racing where a single galloping Barbary steed easily outruns 100 wagon-pulling horses “
Yeah The Punt 