GOLD CROCK SHOCK
GALILEO GOLD has been retired after suffering an injury in his run in the Al Shaqab Lockinge Stakes at Newbury earlier this month.
The Hugo Palmer-trained colt, who won last year’s Qipco 2000 Guineas, excelled through the early part of the 2016 season.
He claimed Classic glory at Newmarket then finished second in the Irish equivalent at the Curragh and won the St James’s Palace Stakes at Royal Ascot.
The son of Paco Boy was also second in the Sussex Stakes at Glorious Goodwood.
However, he could not add to his tally in the Prix Jacques le Marois or Queen Elizabeth II Stakes and then had to settle for fifth place 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 an absolutely 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 2000 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 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.”
Meanwhile, Palmer is thinking about stepping Escobar back up in class at Royal Ascot for a tilt at the Jersey Stakes.
After swerving both the English and French 2000 Guineas the son of Famous Name had to settle for second in the Listed Heron Stakes on his seasonal bow.
Although a final decision has still to be made the Newmarket handler is leaning towards making the Group Three prize on June 21 his next target.