The billion-pound horse: measuring Galileo's financial impact on racing

He was described this year by a national newspaper as being worth £180 million – neatly equated in tabloid form as being more than the transfer value of Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo combined – but how easy is it to actually put a price on the head of Galileo?

To Coolmore, in the broader scheme of things, he was of course priceless. Heir to 14-time champion sire Sadler’s Wells, the epoch-making link with the glamorous days when John Magnier was building his empire with Vincent O’Brien and Robert Sangster.

He was one of their true champions on the track, those two absorbing clashes with Fantastic Light remembered as if they were yesterday, and rightfully lauded for the plethora of high achievers he has sired.