IT’S generally considered one of the least appealing aspects of flat racing, that the careers of the star horses are usually quite short. The greater attraction of jump racing is that we welcome back the stars year after year.

Flat racing, of course, operates around the breeding shed and the very best horses are too valuable a commodity to race on too long. And high-class geldings competing at the top level are rare. But would the sport not be the better for them?

Of the two flat superpowers, Godolphin has played second fiddle to Coolmore in recent years, though Shamardal is having a fantastic season in 2019.

The primary reason for Coolmore’s dominance is a stallion named Galileo. With Aidan O’Brien extracting the best from his progeny, Ballydoyle have had the best of the best to work with. But many choicely-bred colts fail to hit the mark.

Godolphin are happier, it seems, to race more gelded horses at the top level. Last weekend’s Hungerford Stakes winner Glorious Journey was a gelded son of Dubawi, and the Melbourne Cup winner Cross Counter, a gelded son of Teofilo. In Australia, Hartnell is still competitive at top level.

Galileo’s dominance has, in some ways, painted Coolmore into a corner with so many high-class sons of his to breed from.

The Gordon Stakes had six grandsons of Galileo and two sons among the nine runners, the Great Voltigeur this week had five runners, three sons and two grandsons of the great sire.

But for every colt who puts his head down and fights like Japan, there are the Constantinoples who look a bit less willing.

Yet, even he is a high-class colt. What does the future hold for him and Galileo’s staying sons such as Capri, Southern France, Kew Gardens, Flag Of Honour and South Pacific? Three classic winners in there but does either the flat or jumping stallion ranks need more Galileo blood?

Capri has become disappointing, given he was an admirable three-year-old, and had the class to win a high class Irish Derby (Cracksman, Waldgeist behind) and beat Crystal Ocean, Stradivarius, Rekindling and Coronet in the St Leger. Time is running out for him to come back to that level of form.

Galileo’s famous sire Sadler’s Wells was responsible for great National Hunt horses such as Istabraq, Synchronised, Pridwell, Essex, Theatreworld and French Ballerina. And his sons King’s Theatre, Oscar, Milan and Kayf Tara are brilliant jumping sires, and the Montjeus can jump too!

Jumping sons of Galileo have been scarce. Celestial Halo, Supasundae and Windsor Park are his only Grade 1 winners over obstacles. And in Supasundae we have seen many of the typical characteristics of his sire’s progeny.

Are all the Galileo characteristics not the very attributes of a National Hunt horse? And wouldn’t it be something to see a horse like Capri try jumping, now that he’s looking a bit laboured on the flat. There were suggestions Constantinople might benefit from gelding after his Great Voltigeur run!

It would take nothing now from Galileo as a flat sire – indeed he has covered some jumps mares – to have more of his stock compete over obstacles. It would be a further testament to the temperament and courage that he passes on. Capri for next March anyone?