Hugo Palmer can look forward to 2017 with an established Group 1 horse under his care, with the news that his Classic winner Galileo Gold (GB) (Paco Boy {Ire}) will stay in training as a 4-year-old. Despite his form tapering off slightly as the year wore on, owners Al Shaqab Racing are obviously keen to see the dual Group 1 winner rescale the heights next year, much to the delight of his trainer.
“Al Shaqab have decided to keep Galileo Gold in training which is very exciting for us,” said Palmer. “Champions like him are so rare and hard to find. When you find one, you want to hang on to them.”
Very few horses can post top-level performances from April to October and Palmer is in no doubt that despite things not going his way on his last two starts, some down time is what the colt really needs.
“He is a horse that needs a proper break now,” Palmer continued. “He will go to the National Stud now for five or six weeks to let him down, then get him back in his box under my watchful gaze before Christmas.”
Palmer can look forward to targeting some of the top mile races in the world next year with Galileo Gold with a trip to Dubai in March a possible starting point.
Concluded Palmer, “If he comes to hand quickly, there is a chance the [G1] Dubai Turf could be a possibility, but the one race that the owners want to win is the [Al Shaqab sponsored] [G1] Lockinge S. If he goes there, I don't think he will need a prep race, as he did so well first time out to win the Guineas.”
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