3 minute read
Galileo colt shines in Hampton Court Stakes
The Aidan O’Brien-trained Russian Emperor (3 c ex Atlantic Jewel by Fastnet Rock) looks to have inherited some of his mother’s enormous talent as he showed a devastating turn of foot to win the Hampton Court Stakes (Gr 3, 1m2f) at Royal Ascot on Wednesday and in the process handed the peerless Coolmore stallion Galileo (Sadler’s Wells) with his 316th stakes winner.
The son of multiple Australian Group 1-winning mare Atlantic Jewel (Fastnet Rock), looked to feel the pinch the first of the eight runners, but he responded well to Ryan Moore’s urgings, flying down the outside to beat The Queen’s First Receiver (New Approach) by half a length with another length and a quarter back to Berlin Tango (Dansili) in third.
Russian Emperor was last seen running second behind stablemate Cormorant (Kingman) in the Derrinstown Stud Derby Trial Stakes (Gr 3, 1m2f) on June 9, having broken his maiden at Naas on his first start as a three-year-old in March and following the race the colt was garnering support for the Derby (Gr 1, 1m4f) at Epsom on the first weekend in July.
The win hands Ireland’s champion trainer O’Brien with his fourth win in the race, following up the victories Moscow Ballet (Sadler’s Wells) (2004), Indigo Cat (Storm Cat) (2005) and Hunting Horn (Camelot) (2018), while the victory also provided Moore with a landmark 60th Royal Ascot winner.
"He is a lovely colt, straightforward and with a good attitude,” said Moore. “He was very professional; he has had the benefit of a couple of runs this year and let us see if he will keep progressing. He has a very good pedigree - his dam was exceptional in Australia. I think he will be a nice horse going forward for the rest of the year."
When asked about whether the colt could now tackle the Derby, Moore said: "That will be decided. He will give himself a chance to stay, anyway."
The son of Galileo (Sadler’s Wells) is the third foal out of champion mare Atlantic Jewel, who won ten of her 11 starts, including four at Group 1 level and her other foal to race is also a winner.
Atlantic Jewel herself is out two-time winning Zabeel (Sir Tristram) and her three-quarter sister Commanding Jewel (Commands), who like her half-sister landed the MRC Thousand Guineas (Gr 1, 1600m).
Regard herself is a half-sister to Lady Beckworth (General Nediym), who is the dam of Group 1 winner I Am Excited (Snitzel) and Group 3 winner Flippant (Hinchinbrook).
Further back this the family of Cheveley Park Stakes (Gr 1, 6f) winning mother and daughter duo Pass The Peace (Alzao) and Embassy (Cadeaux Genereux) and fellow elite level scorers
King’s Apostle (King’s Best) and Pacific Trader (Sail From Seattle).
Interestingly the colt becomes the first Galileo to land the Hampton Court Stakes only the second stakes winner bred on the Galileo / Fastnet Rock (Danehill) cross, joining fellow Group 2 winner Innisfree.
In 2018 Atlantic Jewel produced a sister to Russian Emperor, before foaling another colt by Galileo. The mare is now back in Australia and she has most recently been covered by US Triple Crown winner Justify (Scat Daddy).
The son of Sadler's Wells (Northern Dancer), who has stood for a private fee since 2008, will be represented in Australia this season by his sire sons Adelaide and Churchill who stand at Coolmore Stud and Swettenham Stud resident Highland Reel.
Russian Emperor wins the Hampton Court Stakes for Ryan Moore and Aidan O’Brien… #RoyalAscot @Ascot pic.twitter.com/raOmM5PtAY
— At The Races (@AtTheRaces) June 17, 2020
