Galileo within one of Sadler's Wells' record as Kew Gardens bags Group 1

Galileo moved to within one top-flight scorer of matching the record posted by his own breed-shaping sire, Sadler's Wells, on Saturday when Kew Gardens became the Coolmore kingpin's 72nd Group/Grade 1 winner in the Grand Prix de Paris.

Kew Gardens began his run as the field fanned out at the entrance to the Longchamp straight and, having got to the front approaching the final furlong, produced a stout finishing effort to hold Neufbosc, a son of Mastercraftsman, at bay by a length and a quarter.

Kew Gardens is the second son of Galileo to land the Grand Prix de Paris, after Imperial Monarch held off the late surge of Last Train in the 2012 running.

The three-year-old colt, who was last seen running out a decisive winner of the Group 2 Queen's Vase at Royal Ascot, was bred by Barronstown Stud out of Chelsea Rose, a daughter of Desert King whose race record includes victory in the 2004 Group 1 Moyglare Stud Stakes.

The 16-year-old mare had also won over as far as 1m4f in the Listed Ballyroan Stakes.

Galileo: the Coolmore linchpin has sired a staggering 72 Group/Grade 1 winnersCredit: Amy Lynam for ITM

Chelsea Rose has produced three other winners since retiring to the paddocks, include the Listed runner-up Hamlool and the Group 3 winner Thawaany. She also has a two-year-old colt by Galileo and a yearling filly by the same sire.

Chelsea Rose, a 38,000gns yearling, was offered at the 2012 Goffs November Mares Sale at the end of her racing days, and it was the BBA Ireland who landed the winning bid of €450,000 to secure her while carrying to Tamayuz.

The Galileo - Desert King cross has been responsible for three winners, including Group 3 scorer Prima Luce.

Kew Gardens is Galileo's fourth Group 1 winner in 2018, after Rhododendron claimed the Lockinge Stakes, Forever Together took the Oaks and Waldgeist won the Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud.

Galileo, sire of a remarkable 445 stakes horses, is now well over £1 million clear of Frankel, his nearest challenger in the European sire standings.

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