While I doubt the results of racing in Australia on Saturday will make the annals of Galileo's greatest achievements, Coolmore's super sire reaped a rich harvest in Sydney and Melbourne.
Melbourne trainers Ciaron Maher and David Eustace had hardly had time to finish counting the money when Galileo's hurdler Big Blue (GB) switched back to the flat to claim the $500,000 St Leger (2600m) at Randwick, when the Aidan O'Brien-trained Yucatan (IRE) flagged his Caulfield and Melbourne Cups credentials with a dominant win the Group II Herbert Power Stakes at Caulfield. (photo Grant Courtney)
After two wins over the jumps in Victoria, Big Blue slogged through the mud at Randwick to lead all the way under Jay Ford.
While there was no black-type to boast about, the stable can revel in the handsome chestnut's biggest payday, a cheque for $287,000.
A stakes-winner for Godolphin in France when trained by Andre Fabre, Big Blue had worn out his welcome for the royal blue in Australia by the end of last year but is two for two over the jumps for Maher and Eustace.
"He must be the first horse to come to Randwick and win off the back of two hurdle wins," stable representative Annabel Neasham said.
Down in Melbourne Yucatan (IRE) earned a free ticket into next weeks Caulfield Cup after he toyed with his rivals in the $400,000 Group II Herbert Power Stakes (2400m) at Caulfield.
Well back in the field and caught wide early, James McDonald elected to circle the field to have the son of Galileo in a striking position at the 600 metres at which point McDonald set the son of Galileo to an all-out drive.
He was a good half a dozen lengths ahead 100 metres from home at which point McDonald eased Yucatan right down to coast over the line to defeat Group 1 Metropolitan Handicap runner-up Brimham Rocks (Fastnet Rock) by one and a quarter lengths with the Charlie Fellows-trained A Prince Of Arran (GB) (Shirocco) a long-neck back in third at his Australian debut.
In 2016 as a 2yo, Yucatan was runner-up in the Group 1 Racing Post Trophy at Doncaster, however, his best form of late in Europe has been in Group III company at which he won the International Stakes at The Curragh then finished third in the Ballyroan Stakes at Leopardstown before embarking on his Australian sojourn.
"He was terrific, a great credit to Aidan and all his team, part-owner Nick Williams said.
"It was a very arrogant win, quite extraordinary really.
"I'd be saying to you he's the Melbourne Cup winner in waiting
"It will be up to Aidan and his team (if he backs up in the Caulfield Cup). You'd think he would but we'll wait and see."
Not many mares that don't boast Group 1 winning connections get to the court of Galileo and Yucatan's dam Six Perfections is no different.
From one of the Niarchos family's most celebrated families, the daughter of former shuttler Celtic Swing was honoured as the Champion 2YO Filly in Europe in 2002 and Champion 3YO Miler in France in 2003.
Her six wins included the Group 1 Prix Jacques Le Marois, Group 1 Breeders' Cup Mile and Group 1 Prix Marcel Boussac.
From the famed family of the extraordinary Miesque, Six Perfections has played her part at stud.
Five of her six foals to reach the track and besides Yucatan, they include the Group II winner Planet Five (Storm Cat) and the Group III winner Faufiler (Galileo) and the Group II-placed Mount Everest (Galileo).
