When Galileo (Sadler’s Wells) claimed the weekend’s Guineas double with son Churchill (QIPCO 2000 Guineas) and daughter Winter (QIPCO 1000 Guineas) he joined a list of the truly elite stallions in racing history.

(Remarkably, daughters of Galileo filled the first two spots in the 1000 Guineas for a second year running, with Winter beating her paternal half-sister Rhododendron into second on Sunday. In 2016, Galileo fillies ran 1-2-3 with Minding beating Ballydoyle and Alice Springs respectively). Coincidentally, Rhododendron is a full-sister to Bush Hill Stud’s young sire Flying The Flag.

Only a handful of sires throughout history have been represented by the 2000 and 1000 Guineas winners in the same year.

In 1900, the great St Simon’s daughter Winfred captured the 1000 Guineas, while his son Diamond Jubilee landed the 2000 Guineas, before going on to land the British Triple Crown.

Another great sire to achieve the double was Fairway, whose son Pay Up won the 2000 Guineas back in 1936, the same year his daughter Tide-Way landed the 1000 Guineas. Remarkably, Fairway nearly achieved the double again in 1943, when his daughter Ribbon ran second in the 1000 Guineas and son Kingsway captured the 2000 Guineas.

When looking at the list of the great stallions who never managed to achieve this double, it becomes quite clear what a truly astounding stallion Galileo really is. He could well add to this classic double this season, with his daughters Rhododendron both among the fancied entrants for the Investec Oaks next month, and grandson Cracksman (Frankel) one of the top hopes for the Investec Derby. Galileo will also be seeking his second consecutive Oaks win next month, with Minding having captured that Epsom classic a year ago.

Galileo has now been represented by three winners of the 2000 Guineas (Frankel, Gleneagles and Churchill) and two of the 1000 Guineas (Minding and Winter). He is also broodmare sire of two other 2000 Guineas winners –Galileo Gold (Paco Boy) and Night Of Thunder (Dubawi) while his son New Approach sired 2000 Guineas winner Dawn Approach.

South Africa is home to at least five sons of Galileo at stud- Kingsbarns,The United States, Flying The Flag, Global View and The Assayer.