Three years and two months after his death in July 2021, Galileo’s name still runs through the turf’s roll of honour like a watermark and the outstanding stallion of the past two decades registered a 21st – and possibly final – success in a British Classic as two Aidan O’Brien-trained colts from his final full crop went head-to-head through the final furlong in a memorable finish to the St Leger.
It was Jan Brueghel, still unbeaten after four starts, who edged in front by a neck at the line, justifying late support that had seen him backed down to 11-4 joint-favourite with Illinois at the off. Both horses, though, showed the famous grit and determination that have defined so many of Galileo’s champions for 20 years.
