Seamie Heffernan: you wouldn't find a Galileo waving a white flag

Seamie Heffernan, the only jockey other than Mick Kinane to win on Galileo, led the tributes that continued to pour in on Sunday for the greatest sire of the modern era after his death aged 23 on Saturday.

As well as being entrusted by Aidan O'Brien to ride Galileo in most of his home work at Ballydoyle, Heffernan was aboard for the Derrinstown Derby Trial in 2001, which Galileo won before taking out the Derby under Kinane.

Heffernan considers himself fortunate to have been associated with the legendary horse, and addressed what made Galileo so special as a stallion.

"I was lucky enough to ride Galileo in a lot of his work and I won the Derrinstown on him as well," he said. "His progeny didn't hold grudges. Every day is a new day with a Galileo. They just want to please you. It doesn't matter if you did the wrong thing the previous day.

"It is impossible to scar a Galileo. Most horses would run through a brick wall the first time you ask them to do it, but they wouldn't go back a second time. A Galileo would. You wouldn't find a Galileo waving a white flag."

Seamie Heffernan: rode Galileo to win the Derrinstown in 2001Credit: Patrick McCann

Joseph and Donnacha O'Brien also shared their memories of Galileo on Sunday. Joseph, who rode a multitude of Galileo's sons and daughters to high-class victories all over the world in a short but spellbinding career in the saddle, was particularly effusive in his praise.

He said: "He was the most incredible stallion. His legacy will live on forever through the stallions and broodmares that he leaves behind. He produced an amazing standard of horses and amassed an incredible amount of Group 1 wins."

O'Brien, whose first Classic success in the saddle came aboard Roderic O'Connor, a son of Galileo, in the Irish 2,000 Guineas, and whose high-profile wins included those on progeny like Australia, Order Of St George and Gleneagles, added: "He put a willingness to win into his horses and that's what really stands out for me. They're very genuine horses and he's probably the best stallion we'll ever see."

'We may never see another like him'

While Donnacha was too young to recall Galileo during his racing career at Ballydoyle, he was in little doubt of the stamp he put on the breed.

He said: "I don't remember Galileo from when he was in Ballydoyle but he was just the most incredible racehorse who obviously became one of the best stallions we've ever seen.

"I can only echo what Dad has said about him, what he put into his stock – temperament, attitude and a willingness to do everything – is what made him stand out from all other sires."

O'Brian added: "Yesterday was a sad day, but we were lucky to have him around as long as we did. Nobody ever thought there would be a stallion as influential as Northern Dancer, and they thought the same when Sadler's Wells came along.

"Now Galileo has possibly stamped more importance on the breed than any other horse. We may never see another like him, and his legacy will live on in his offspring."

Galileo career details

Read more tributes to Galileo here:

'We will never see the like of him again' – glorious Galileo dies at 23

Seldom have the words born into greatness rung as true as they did with Galileo

A galaxy of stars: five of the best horses sired by Galileo

One of a kind: the bloodstock world pays glowing tribute to the mighty Galileo

The Front Runner is our latest email newsletter available exclusively to Members' Club Ultimate subscribers. Chris Cook, a three-time Racing Reporter of the Year award winner, provides his take on the day's biggest stories and tips for the upcoming racing every morning from Monday to Friday