Galileo Gold shines for Dettori and Palmer

Hugo Palmer hailed the brilliance of Frankie Dettori after the world’s most charismatic jockey had guided Galileo Gold to a stunning victory in the QIPCO 2000 Guineas at Newmarket today.

Always prominent, Dettori initially raced in the centre of the track from an awkward draw in stall 1 before gradually bringing Galileo Gold over to the stands’ rail.

The combination took the opposition out of their comfort zones with a decisive kick about two furlongs from home and Galileo Gold kept on strongly to beat Massaat by a length and a half, with Ribchester another two lengths further back in third.

“It was a masterful ride by one of the world’s best jockeys on a wonderful horse,” Palmer said after saddling his first British Classic winner. “Anyone who listened to me talk about this animal for last three weeks will have got a sense of belief that has been building in the yard about him.

“Not only my belief in the horse, but the horse’s belief in himself. I’ve heard Aidan [O’Brien] talk about arrogant horses before – like Muhammed Ali saying ‘I am the greatest’. A good horse believes that.”

The build-up to the first race in the QIPCO British Champions Series had revolved around Air Force Blue, Europe’s champion two-year-old of last season.

However, the 4-5 favourite never threatened to get involved and beat only one home – Marcel, who was the only other Group One winner in the 13-strong field.

Instead it was Dettori, for the umpteenth time in his decorated career, who stole the show on a colt who now looks bound for the Investec Derby.  Paddy Power make him 12-1 for the Epsom showpiece.

“Every time we win a nice race I wake up the next morning and the first thing I do is check the Racing Post to make sure it happened,” Palmer said. “I’ll be doing that tomorrow and dreading this has been a dream.”

Galileo Gold has a range of options – between a mile and a mile and a half in England, Ireland and France in the next month – but there is only one Derby and he must be a very short price to contest it.

Palmer and Dettori are convinced that the son of Paco Boy will have no problem staying a mile and a quarter. The final two furlongs? We are likely to find that out on June 4.

“I was confident he’d be in the first three but he took my breath away today,” said Dettori. “I’m convinced we will stay a mile and a quarter, no problem. We can sit down and think about it [the Derby], study the video, see how he comes out of it.”

Palmer added: “He’s out of a Galileo mare and his fourth dam is the dam of Montjeu, who have been responsible for nine Derby winners between them.

“Will he stay a mile and a half? I don’t know but they do say the Guineas is the best trial for the Derby. We’ll get home and let the dust settle. I reckon it will be Wednesday before we start feeling human again.”

It was only five years ago that Palmer began training and up until 12 months ago Galileo Gold, a 33,000 euro purchase, still belonged to him.  

He now carries the colours of Al Shaqab Racing, who purchased him shortly before he won at Goodwood last summer. Suffice to say, he is now worth considerably more.

And Dettori? He remains priceless.