Michael Kinane
The jockey
His partner in all three Group 1 victories: Epsom, the Curragh and Ascot.
Watch their defining racesGalileo A lasting dynasty
Eight races. Six wins. Generations of champions.
In the summer of 2001, Aidan O’Brien’s colt won the Derby at Epsom, the Irish Derby and the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes. Mick Kinane was his partner in the saddle. At Epsom, they beat Golan by three and a half lengths to give O’Brien his first winner of the race. The Irish Derby brought a second Classic before he took on older horses at Ascot.
Balance and determination made him a champion. At Coolmore, those qualities became part of a much larger story. Five sons followed him onto the Derby roll of honour, extending a connection that began with his own victory. New Approach, Ruler Of The World, Australia, Anthony Van Dyck and Serpentine each carried that inheritance back to Epsom.
Frankel is the most famous name in that story, but Galileo’s influence spans generations. In August 2024, Content became his 100th individual Group 1 winner: a milestone counting different horses, rather than their combined wins. His pedigree joined Sadler’s Wells with Urban Sea, a family connection that sits at the heart of his extraordinary breeding story.
Galileo died in 2021. His legacy continues through his sons, daughters and the families they established. To understand the modern thoroughbred, his name is one of the essential starting points. The Derby winners tell one part of it; the success of Frankel at stud shows how that influence passes from one generation to the next.
The people behind him
Aidan O’Brien
The trainer
Prepared at Ballydoyle. Galileo gave O’Brien his first Epsom Derby victory.
Explore his G1Stars profileJohn Magnier
Coolmore · Ownership
John Magnier represents the Coolmore story. Galileo raced for Sue Magnier and Michael Tabor.
Explore Coolmore’s runners- Races run
- 8
- Races won
- 6
- Group 1 race wins
- 3
- Epsom Derby-winning sons
- 5
The inheritance
One horse. Many generations.
The Derby connection
New Approach, Ruler Of The World, Australia, Anthony Van Dyck and Serpentine all won the Epsom Derby, just as their sire had done.
A historic milestone
Content’s Yorkshire Oaks victory in 2024 marked Galileo’s 100th individual Group 1 winner. This is a dated milestone, not his final career total.
The next generation
His unbeaten son became a champion in his own right and then a leading sire. Galileo’s story reaches into a new chapter through him.
A summer that changed everything.
June 2001
The Derby
Galileo gave Aidan O’Brien his first Epsom Derby success, beating Golan by three and a half lengths.
Watch the Derby below →July 2001
The Irish Derby
The second Classic completed his Derby double and confirmed that Epsom had been no one-off.
Explore the Curragh →July 2001
The King George
A meeting with older horses brought a third Group 1 victory, with Fantastic Light finishing second.
Explore Ascot →Watch the story
Races, voices & memories.
race retrospective
The King George · 2001
Ascot looks back on Galileo’s King George victory over Fantastic Light.
Watch on YouTube →great rivalry
Galileo vs Fantastic Light
Their Irish Champion Stakes rematch: Fantastic Light narrowly wins a memorable duel.
Watch on YouTube →race replay
The 2001 Derby
Mick Kinane and Galileo at Epsom: the victory that began a Classic summer.
Watch on YouTube →legacy film
The story of the super-stallion
Aidan O’Brien and MV Magnier reflect on Galileo and his enduring influence.
Watch on YouTube →Hero portraits are AI-created editorial images.