'We owe him a huge debt of gratitude' - stud giants give thanks to sire of sires

Galileo's dominant and lasting impact on racing, breeding and the sales was recalled with admiration and affection by figures from across the bloodstock world on Sunday.

While the 12-time champion sire, who was euthanised on Saturday aged 23 due to a "chronic, non-responsive, debilitating injury to the near-fore foot", was the rocket fuel that propelled Coolmore and Ballydoyle to a period of sustained dominance, Galileo's influence stretched far beyond with many breeding, racing and selling progeny of the stallion with tremendous success.

This multifaceted influence was nurtured by Newsells Park Stud, whose sales-ring rewards via offspring of Galileo and Shastye and big-race triumphs with Waldgeist meant the operation owed him "a huge debt of gratitude", according to general manager Julian Dollar.