Galileo's Southern France Powers to Victory in Zipping Classic

Mark Smith - Saturday November 16

Saturday’s $300,000 Group II Quayclean Zipping Classic (2400m) at Sandown may have been an afterthought for Southern France (IRE) after failing in the Melbourne Cup but the highly regarded son of Galileo gave fans a taste of his undoubted ability.

After finishing 19th in the Melbourne Cup in his first Australian start, trainers Ciaron Maher and David Eustace entered Southern France (IRE) for Saturday's Zipping (2400m) after nominations were extended on Monday.

Southern France powers to victory in Zipping Classic - image Darryl Sherer

Southern France powers to victory in Zipping Classic - image Darryl Sherer

With Mark Zahra in the saddle, Southern France came with a barnstorming finish to defeat Miss Siska (So You Think) by one and three-quarter lengths with Chapada (Bullet Train) a nose away in third.

Maher said the 5yo entire had come out of the Melbourne Cup in great shape.

"I wanted to give him a gallop just to see how he was before we accepted and he worked really well on Wednesday," Maher told AAP.

"That gave me the confidence to give him the nod.

"His run was a shade disappointing, and he didn't get a lot of luck, in the Melbourne Cup but he's made up for it now and it was a good win today.

"There's a couple of plans I mapped out the other day.

"He could head straight back and maybe go to Dubai or he may stay here and head towards the Australian Cup into a Tancred Stakes."

Southern France - image Darryl Sherer

Southern France - image Darryl Sherer

When trained in Ireland by Aidan O’Brien, Southern France won the Group III Irish St Leger Trial and a Listed race at Leopardstown and was placed in the Group 1 The St Leger and Group 1 Irish St Leger and was runner-up in both the Group II Royal Ascot Queen's Vase and Group II Yorkshire Cup.

He is the best of three winner’s out of the unraced Anabaa mare Alta Anna who is a half-sister to Group III Longchamp Prix Penelope winner and Group 1 Prix de Diane runner-up Abbatiale (Kaldoun) the dam of the multiple Group III winner Bewitched (Dansili).

 

 

 

Advertisment

Race Result - Quayclean Zipping Classic Gr2 2400m

Sandown-Hillside Track: Good(3) Time: 2:32.01
1
Southern France
- 5h Galileo (IRE) x Alta Anna (FR) (Anabaa (USA))
Tnr: C Maher & D Eustace Rdr: M Zahra 59
2
1.8
Miss Siska
- 6m So You Think (NZ) x Sing Hallelujah (AUS) (Is It True (USA))
Tnr: G M Begg Rdr: J Doyle 57
3
1.9
Chapada
- 4g Bullet Train (GB) x Diamantina Dior (AUS) (Oasis Dream (GB))
Tnr: M D Moroney Rdr: J Winks 58
4
2.2
Gallic Chieftain
- 7h Tamayuz (GB) x Katerini (FR) (Cacique (IRE))
Tnr: Archie Alexander Rdr: Craig Williams 59
5
3.0
Midterm
- 7g Galileo (IRE) x Midday (GB) (Oasis Dream (GB))
Tnr: M & L Cerchi Rdr: Patrick Moloney 59
6
3.5
Humidor
- 7g Teofilo (IRE) x Zalika (NZ) (Zabeel (NZ))
Tnr: C Maher & D Eustace Rdr: Damian Lane 59
7
3.9
Ventura Storm
- 7g Zoffany (IRE) x Sarawati (IRE) (Haafhd (GB))
Tnr: D & B Hayes & T Dabernig Rdr: Jye McNeil 59
8
4.0
Dal Harraild
- 7g Champs Elysees (GB) x Dalvina (GB) (Grand Lodge (USA))
Tnr: C Maher & D Eustace Rdr: B Melham 59
9
5.5
Savvy Oak
- 4g Savabeel (AUS) x Fairy Oak (NZ) (High Chaparral (IRE))
Tnr: T Busuttin & N Young Rdr: L Currie 58
10
5.6
Patrick Erin
- 8g Gallant Guru (AUS) x Mega Babe (NZ) (Personal Escort (USA))
Tnr: C J Waller Rdr: M J Walker 59
More Reading...
Stakes Goals Now For Promising Pride Of Dubai Filly
Promising Pride Of Dubai filly Sun ‘N’ Sand will tackle stakes grade at her next start after winning the Casino Canberra Canberra Guineas Preview at Canberra on Friday.
Remarkable Mare Gets An Oaks Winner After A Slipper Winner - Half at Easter
Her first foal was a Golden Slipper winner, her seventh foal is an Oaks winner – that’s the story of Eye For Fun thus far, the dam of Cinch, Tasmanian Oaks winner on Friday night and 34th stakes winner for Dundeel.
Wootton Bassett 1st Foal from G1 Winner a Debut Winner - Half to Easter
State Visit is the first foal of Oakleigh Plate winner Celebrity Queen that Coolmore paid a sale-topping $2.5million for at the Inglis Chairman’s Sale in 2021, and he produced an outstanding debut with a hard finishing victory at Canterbury on Friday night.
Playing God Youngster Sets Colt Record in Perth
The all time record price for a colt at the Magic Millions Perth Yearling Sale was broken on Thursday with a youngster by Playing God topping proceedings when selling for $450,000.
Galileo's Cape Of Good Hope Strikes Early for the Imports
The great Galileo is now just one Group 1 winner behind Danehill after Coolmore’s royally-bred Cape Of Good Hope (IRE) made a winning Australian debut when edging out a rejuvenated Black Heart Bart in Saturday’s $1,000,000 Group 1 Ladbrokes (Caulfield Stakes (2000m) at Caulfield.
It's Poetic - Can It Lead To Cups Success?
It’s almost poetic – a horse bred in France, by Australia, starting his career in Ireland but giving notice at Moonee Valley on Friday night he’s on his way to stardom in - Australia.
It's Groundhog Day - Another Two Group 1 Winners for Galileo
It may start sounding like a broken record but the incomparable Galileo sired a further two Group 1 winners at the Curragh on Sunday to take his Group 1 tally over the two-day Irish Champions carnival to four.
Magical and Kew Gardens Shine for Galileo on Champions Day at Ascot
The wonderfully courageous Magical in the Group 1 Champion Stakes and a resurgent Kew Gardens overturning the seemingly unbeatable Stradivarius in a thrilling Group II British Champions Long Distance Cup, completed another magnificent season for the champion Galileo on Champions Day at Ascot.
Farnan's Milllion Dollar Colt a Debut Winner
Golden Slipper winner Farnan’s first season continues to build steam with his highest priced yearling to date, Farcited becoming winner number four on debut.
Last Lot in Catalogue Tops Book Two in Perth
The last lot of the catalogue wrapped up a successful 2025 Magic Millions Perth Yearling Sale when it sold for the day's highest price.