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The colt becomes the 328th stakes winner for Galileo
The Aidan O’Brien-trained High Definition (2 c ex Palace by Fastnet Rock) scored an impressive victory in Saturday’s Beresford Stakes (Gr 2, 1m) at the Curragh providing Coolmore’s Galileo (Sadler’s Wells) with his 328th stakes winner and propelling the colt into favouritism for next year’s Derby (Gr 1, 1m4f).
Having only his second start after breaking his maiden over course and distance last start on August 22, the son of Galileo ran on strongly inside the closing stages to score a three quarter length victory over Monaasib (Bobby’s Kitten), who had kicked clear and initially looked the likely winner whilst there was another three lengths back to Snapraetera (Buratino) in third.
Bred by Whisperview Trading, High Definition is out of Listed winner Palace (Fastnet Rock) who has produced three winners from as many foals to race including the colt’s brother Innisfree who won the Beresford Stakes last year.
“He’s lovely and puts away a lot of ground. He’s a big, rangy horse with a massive, big stride and is one to really look forward to,” said O’Brien.
“It was the same in his maiden – you would say he’s not going to get there and in the end he’s won easily.
“I’d say we’ll put him away now. He could start in a Guineas and he looks like he’ll be a middle-distance horse.”
Palace is out of the unraced Lady Icarus (Rainbow Quest) making her a half-sister to Group 3 winner Furner’s Green (Dylan Thomas) and Listed winner Mystical Lady (Halling) who is herself the dam of Listed winner and Irish Derby (Gr 1, 1m4f) runner-up Kingfisher (Galileo). The colt’s third dam is three-time Group 1 winner Sonic Lady (Nureyev) who produced the Group 3 winning pair Hazaam (Blushing Groom) and Sharman (Blushing Groom) and is the granddam of dual Group 1 winner Deirdre (Harbinger).
The Galileo - Fastnet Rock cross is a particularly potent one with High Definition becoming the 19th stakes winner produced on this cross. From 81 runners the cross has produced 59 winners and the stakes winners to runners rate stands at 23 per cent.