A pedigree in pictures: Circus Maximus becomes Galileo's 78th Group 1 winner

This time last week few could have predicted that Circus Maximus would be the horse to supply Galileo with his 78th Group/Grade 1 winner, with the three-year-old not even entered in the St James's Palace Stakes, the centrepiece of day one of Royal Ascot.

However, connections took the decision to supplement the colt, last seen finishing sixth to stablemate Anthony Van Dyck in the Derby, at a cost of £45,000. The rest, as they say, is history, as Tuesday's victory moves Galileo within touching distance of Danehill's record of 84 elite winners.

Galileo and stallion manager Tony O'Meara at CoolmoreCredit: Patrick McCann

Galileo's monumental stud record comprises a staggering 476 stakes performers, including a whopping 194 Group winners and 101 Listed scorers. The perennial champion sire has now supplied three St James's Palace Stakes winners, with Circus Maximus joining Frankel (2011) and Gleneagles (2015) on the race's roll of honour.

As with so many other Group 1s, Galileo's influence runs deep through recent renewals of the St James's Palace Stakes. He is the damsire of past winners Barney Roy (2017) and Galileo Gold (2016), and is also the grandsire of Without Parole (2018) and Dawn Approach (2013), who are by his sons Frankel and New Approach respectively.

Gleneagles: one of three St James's Palace Stakes-winning sons of GalileoCredit: Coolmore

Royal Ascot success also features prominently in Circus Maximus's female line, as he is the first foal out of Duntle, who gamely repelled Arsaadi, a third-crop daughter of Dubawi, to win the the Listed Sandringham Handicap as a three-year-old in 2012.

Duntle added to her haul when she took the following year's Group 2 Duke of Cambridge Stakes, in which she saw off Ladys First, who later sold to Lady Bamford through Hugo Lascelles for 1,800,000gns, and subsequent Breeders' Cup Filly and Mare Turf heroine Dank, the dam of the 4,000,000gns Galileo filly bought by Godolophin at Book 1 of the Tattersalls October Yearling Sale in 2017.

Duntle (white cap) sees off Ladys First (blue cap) to record her second Royal Ascot success in the 2013 Duke of Cambridge StakesCredit: Alan Crowhurst

Duntle's pedigree notes that she also finished runner-up in the 2012 Group 1 Matron Stakes at Leopardstown. However, that does not tell the whole story.

The David Wachman-trained filly had to overcome trouble in running early in the straight, but as she forced her way out approaching the final furlong she gave a hefty bump to Alanza who in turn cannoned into Chachamaidee, who was just a short head behind Duntle at the line.

After a lengthy stewards' enquiry, the decision was taken to demote Duntle to second, thus stripping her of Group 1 laurels in contentious fashion.

Duntle (white cap) edges out Chachamaidee (near side) in the Matron Stakes, only to be demoted after causing interferenceCredit: Caroline Norris

Duntle is by Danehill Dancer, whose daughters have now produced four Group 1 winners when paired with Galileo. The three other elite winners bred on this cross are Alice Springs, Minding and The Gurkha.

Another Royal Ascot star of recent years, Coronation Stakes victress Winter, is by Galileo out of Danehill Dancer's son Choisir.

A further 12 of Galileo's top-level scorers are by Danehill Dancer's sire, Danehill, an illustrious list that includes the mighty Frankel, globetrotting great Highland Reel and champion juvenile Teofilo.

Danehill Dancer and stallion man Paul Gleeson at Coolmore in April 2005Credit: Edward Whitaker

Another variation of this famed cross has been seen to good effect already this year, as Derby hero Anthony Van Dyck is by Galileo out of Believe 'N' Succeed, an Australian-bred daughter of Exceed And Excel, who in turn is by the dual-hemisphere breeder-shaper Danehill.

Circus Maximus is owned by the Niarchos Family's Flaxman Stables, in whose colours he races, and the Coolmore partners of John Magnier, Michael Tabor and Derrick Smith.

Connections of Circus Maximus, including John Magnier (second left) and Maria and Electra Niarchos (third and second right)Credit: Edward Whitaker

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