Aidan O'Brien emphatically declared yesterday that his King George VI & Queen Elizabeth Diamond Stakes hero Galileo will never again run over a mile and a half.
Instead, in the short term, the colt will face an intriguing re-match with the Ascot runner up Fantastic Light in Leopardstown's Ireland, the food island, Irish Champion Stakes.
That is set to be followed by a drop to a mile for the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes at Ascot (September 29) and a final end of season showdown with the American champion Point Given in the Breeders Cup Classic on October 27.
O'Brien reported Galileo to be "grand" after Saturday's epic victory against the older horses but despite the unbeaten colt now having won two Derbys and a King George over 12 furlongs, Galileo's future will see him test his title to be the best horse in Europe over shorter trips.
"I would say there is no doubt that was his last race over a mile a half," confirmed O'Brien whose Oaks winner Imagine is quoted at 8/1 with some firms for the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe.
The Godolphin spokesman Simon Crisford confirmed yesterday that Fantastic Light will be trained for another clash with Galileo at Leopardstown on September 8.
"That is the plan. The timing of the race is good for our programme which is the most significant factor in going to Leopardstown. Fantastic Light is equally effective between ten and 12 furlongs," Crisford said.
Paddy Power have introduced match betting between Saturday's principals on the Irish Champion Stakes. Galileo is a 4/9 favourite in a match with Fantastic Light, who is on 13/8, while the Irish colt is a 2/1 favourite with the firm for the Breeders Cup Classic. Point Given is 9/4 next best.
Yesterday the Godolphin trainer Saeed bin Suroor said: "I'm not making excuses but it would be nice to take on Galileo again over a slightly shorter trip and on level weights. Hopefully, that race will come.
"But for the moment we would like to ensure Fantastic Light is given a break. He threw everything into the race and ran his heart out.
"Unfortunately, Galileo was just too good on the day but it was a fantastic race between two very high quality horses."
