Galileo's Hermosa Powers to Victory in 1000 Guineas

Mark Smith - Monday May 6

The 2007 King Stand Stakes at Royal Ascot was perhaps the high-water mark for the Australians with Miss Andretti coasting home with Magnus in third and Takeover Target in fourth, but there were also a couple of notable performances from the runner-up Dandy Man and the seventh-placed Beauty Is Truth.

At Newmarket Racecourse on Sunday, Beauty Of Truth's daughter Hermosa went straight to the front and kept up a relentless gallop under Wayne Lordan to defeat the Dandy Man filly Lady Kaya in the Group 1 QIPCO 1000 Guineas (1m). (images Sporting Life)


Following the win of Magna Grecia in the 2000 Guineas 24 hours earlier, it was the fourth time Aidan O'Brien completed the English Guineas double.

Making her first start of the season, Hermosa was only the third choice of O'Brien's four starters. There's no denying her stamina. She looked certain to be swamped by the chasing pack 400 metres out but the daughter of Galileo began to rally and came clear to defeat Lady Kaya by a length with a neck back to the favourite Qabala in third.

"We are delighted. She did very well over the winter, and she ran an unbelievable race last year in the Fillies' Mile," O'Brien told Sporting Life.

"She is very uncomplicated. She is tough and, like her sister (Hydrangea), stays well. Wayne gave her a great ride, and it is a credit to everyone at home.

"Physically she has changed a lot over the winter and really grew into a three-year-old. She is a tough filly. The plan was to go along (in front) with her, and she was happy to go, because we knew she would get the trip well.

"The boss (John Magnier) always says it is about the blood, and the pedigree is the road map.

"I would say that is what she is going to love (the Oaks). The Irish Guineas is there to look at, but she won't mind stepping up in trip.

"What can you say about Galileo - his influence is going to be forever and ever."

Winner of a Group III at Naas, Hermosa placed in three Group 1 races, the Moyglare Stud Stakes, Fillies' Mile and Criterium International in a relatively busy season at two.

She becomes the 76th winner at the highest level for Galileo (image below Mark Smith ), who is chasing down the target of 84 set by dual hemisphere sensation Danehill.

Hermosa is the third winner of the 1,000 Guineas for Galileo after Minding and Winter, who was also ridden by Lordan to win the race in 2017.

Let's get back to the 2007 King Stand Stakes seventh Beauty is Truth. The daughter of outstanding broodmare sire Pivotal won three of 12 starts, the Group II Prix du Gros-Chene, Group III Prix d'Arenberg and Listed Prix Yacowlef.

She came under notice in Australia through the Lloyd Williams-trained import The United States. A Listed winner in Ireland for Aidan O'Brien, the full-brother to Hermosa won the Group 1 ATC Ranvet Stakes, Group II MVRC Moonee Valley Gold Cup and Group II Schweppes Crystal Mile.

The striking chestnut could not find a home at stud in Australia but was a gain for the industry in South Africa.

Beauty Is Truth has remained faithful to Galileo in all but her first year and the union also left the 2017 Group 1 Matron Stakes and Group 1 British Champions Fillies & Mares Stakes winner Hydrangea who placed a further five times at the highest level.

In her first season at stud, to a mating with Dansili, Beauty Is Truth produced the multiple Group III winner Fire Lily who was runner-up in the Group 1 Prix Marcel Boussac and Group 1 Moyglare Stud Stakes.

A half-sister to Poule d'Essai des Pouliches runner-up and Prix de Diane third Glorious Sight, Beauty Is Truth is out of the Group III winner Zelding (Warning) whose dam Zelda (Caerleon) is a half-sister Last Tycoon (IRE) the former Champion Sire in Australia in season 1993-94 who has left a wonderful legacy in this hemisphere.


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