Galileo Gold retired after suffering injury in Lockinge

Magical day: Palmer, Galileo Gold and Dettori after victory in the 2000 Guineas. Picture: Racingfotos.com

Galileo Gold has been retired after suffering an injury in the Al Shaqab Lockinge Stakes at Newbury this month.

The Hugo Palmer-trained colt excelled in the QIPCO British Champions Series through the first half of last season. He won the QIPCO 2000 Guineas and St James’s Palace Stakes, plus split The Gurkha and Ribchester in a rousing Qatar Sussex Stakes at Goodwood.

The son of Paco Boy was also second in the Irish 2000 Guineas, but he was not at his best in either the Prix Jacques le Marois or Queen Elizabeth II Stakes. He had to settle for fifth at Newbury on his reappearance.

Galileo Gold ran in the colours of Al Shaqab, whose racing manager Harry Herbert said: “It’s a great shame, real sadness all round. It’s a soft-tissue injury that meant we couldn’t carry on with his career at this stage of the season. It’s very sad.

“His run in the Lockinge was very disappointing, but obviously in the cold light of day there’s a reason for it. It’s a shame we couldn’t go on with his career because the horse has absolutely exploded from three to four.

“Everyone who saw him in the Lockinge would agree with that. He had been working very well.

“He has been a terrific flag-bearer for Al Shaqab and provided us with our first Classic winner and of course it was a wonderful season with the St James’s Palace Stakes victory as well, plus a second in Ireland (Irish 2,000 Guineas) and a great run in the Sussex Stakes.

“All credit to Hugo Palmer and his team, who have done such a fantastic job with him.”

Herbert added: “He’ll go to stud, but no decision has been taken on that. It’s still very much in the melting pot.

“We were very excited what he might achieve this year, but he’s a great looking horse, with a great pedigree, good constitution and a fantastic brain. He has a lot of ticks in the right boxes for a stallion career ahead.”

Palmer’s charge won five of his 12 career starts, earning £960,886 in prize-money.