We thought we'd seen it all with Sadler's Wells - how wrong we all were

On his retirement from covering duties in 2008, writers charged with paying tribute to Sadler’s Wells will have delivered a unanimous verdict. His like would not be seen again in our lifetimes.

It was about as safe an assumption as could be made. Sadler’s Wells had been champion sire in Britain and Ireland a record 14 times. His dominance of the stallion tribe was absolute.

Somewhat prophetically, however, that same year saw the induction of a new name as champion sire when Sadler’s Wells’ son Galileo broke through to win the first of his 12 titles. He trails only Frankel in his quest for a 13th this year, and will have three full crops to follow.