Champion sire Galileo might be 23, but he’s showing no signs of losing his dominance delivering two blue-blooded three year-old stakes-winners at Leopardstown overnight in Joan of Arc and Bolshoi Ballet, who both may well be Group I winners before the end of June.
There are blue hens and then there are BLUE HENS and You’resothrilling falls into the latter group.
The full sister to champion racehorse and champion sire Giant’s Causeway, You’resothrilling produced her sixth stakes-winner from seven foals to race when the Aidan O’Brien trained Joan of Arc took out the Group III Irish 1,000 Guineas Trial (1m).
She was a dominant length and three-quarter winner for Ryan Moore over Flirting Bride (Camelot) and Thinking of You (American Pharoah).
Second on debut at her only run last season, Joan of Arc was a winner at her first appearance this year and was a last start sixth in the seven furlong 1,000 Guineas Trial.
“The last day was a bit of a non-event for Joan of Arc, but she came out of it lovely. The plan was to come back here and then maybe go to the Irish Guineas. Ryan (Moore) said she might stay a bit further so we're very happy with that. She's a very relaxed filly,” said Aidan O'Brien.
The 334th stakes-winner worldwide for Galileo, Joan of Arc is a full sister to a pair of champion multiple Group I winners in Gleneagles and Happily as well as another Group I winner Marvelous, who won the Irish 1,000 Guineas, also two time Group II MRC Zipping Classic winner Taj Mahal and Group III winner Coolmore.
The only non-stakes-winning foal from You’resotrhilling is Vatican City, who was second in the Group I Irish 2,000 Guineas.
The Group III Derrinstown Stud Derby Trial (1m2f) was won in cavalier style by the Aidan O’Brien trained Galileo colt Bolshoi Ballet, who won by six lengths and is now favourite for the Group I Epsom Derby on June 5.
The last colt to win this race and go on to win at Epsom was High Chaparral.
“Bolshoi Ballet is very uncomplicated, quickens, relaxes. We always loved him. He travelled to France last year in ground that we knew he wouldn't like but we wanted to travel him for experience. We are delighted with that and we couldn't have asked for any more from him. There was an even pace which was great. He quickened well,” said Aidan O'Brien.
With three wins from five starts, Bolshoi Ballet is a full brother to Southern France, who won the 2019 MRC Group II Zipping Classic and is now permanently in Australia being trained by Ciaron Maher and David Eustace. He was last seen finishing eighth in the Group I ATC Sydney Cup behind Selino.
