The racing and breeding world was rocked on Saturday with the news that legendary stallion Galileo had been put to sleep at the age of 23 after battling a chronic, non-responsive, injury to the left fore foot.

Any list of his best horses will inevitably omit some greats, suffice to say that his influence will forever live on through the likes of his sons Frankel, one of the greatest racehorses in history and now one of the world’s most exciting sires. St Mark’s Basilica, the best three-year-old of 2021, is out of a Galileo mare.

In 2020, he set the record for the number of Epsom Derby winners sired at five: New Approach, Ruler Of The World, Australia, Anthony Van Dyck and Serpentine.

Galileo's final Derby winner - Serpentine

His flagbearers also include the $10-million globetrotter Highland Reel, seven-time Group 1 winners Minding and Magical and the current top filly Love.

“It is a very sad day,” said Coolmore's John Magnier, “but we all feel incredibly fortunate to have had Galileo here at Coolmore. I would like to thank the dedicated people who looked after him so well all along the way. He was always a very special horse to us and he was the first Derby winner we had in Ballydoyle in the post M V O'Brien era.

"I would also like to thank Aidan and his team for the brilliant job they did with him. The effect he is having on the breed through his sons and daughters will be a lasting legacy and his phenomenal success really is unprecedented.”

He has a chance of another Grade 1 winner tonight when his son Bolshoi Ballet contests the Belmont Derby.

A comprehensive tribute to Galileo will feature in next Saturday’s The Irish Field.

Galileo races away with the 2001 Budweiser Irish Derby

Galileo's Group/Grade 1 winners include:

ADELAIDE: Sportingbet WS Cox Plate, Moonee Valley, Gr.1, Secretariat Stakes, Arlington, Gr.1,

ALANDI: Irish Field Irish St Leger, Curragh, Gr.1, Qatar Prix du Cadran, Parislongchamp, Gr.1,

ALICE SPRINGS: Coolmore Fastnet Rock Matron Stakes, Leopardstown, Gr.1, Kingdom of Bahrain Sun Chariot Stakes, Newmarket, Gr.1, Tattersalls Falmouth Stakes, Newmarket, Gr.1,

ALLEGRETTO: Prix Royal-Oak-Principaute de Monaco, Parislongchamp, Gr.1,

ALTANO: Qatar Prix du Cadran, Parislongchamp, Gr.1,

ANTHONY VAN DYCK: Investec Derby Stakes, Epsom Downs, Gr.1,

AUSTRALIA: Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby, Curragh, Gr.1, Investec Derby Stakes, Epsom Downs, Gr.1, Juddmonte International Stakes, York, Gr.1

BALLYDOYLE: Total Prix Marcel Boussac, Parislongchamp, Gr.1,

CAPE BLANCO: Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby, Curragh, Gr.1, Tatts Millions Irish Champion Stakes, Leopardstown, Gr.1, Arlington Million Stakes, Arlington International, Gr.1, Joe Hirsch Turf Classic Inv. Stakes, Belmont Park, Gr.1, Man O'War Stakes, Belmont Park, Gr.1,

CAPE OF GOOD HOPE: Ladbrokes Caulfield Stakes, Caulfield, Gr.1,

CAPRI: Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby, Curragh, Gr.1, William Hill St Leger Stakes, Doncaster, Gr.1,

CHURCHILL: Dubai Dewhurst Stakes, Newmarket, Gr.1, Goffs Vincent O'Brien National Stakes, Curragh, Gr.1, Qipco 2000 Guineas Stakes, Newmarket, Gr.1, Tattersalls Irish 2000 Guineas, Curragh, Gr.1,

CIMA DE TRIOMPHE: Derby Italiano, Rome, Gr.1,

CIRCUS MAXIMUS: Queen Anne Stakes, Ascot, Gr.1, St James's Palace Stakes, Ascot, Gr.1, Prix du Moulin de Longchamp, Parislongchamp, Gr.1,

CLEMMIE: Juddmonte Cheveley Park Stakes, Newmarket, Gr.1,

CURVY: HPIBET E P Taylor Stakes, Woodbine, Gr.1,

DEAUVILLE: Belmont Derby Invitational Stakes, Belmont Park, Gr.1,

DECORATED KNIGHT: QIPCO Irish Champion Stakes, Leopardstown, Gr.1, Tattersalls Gold Cup, Curragh, Gr.1, Emirates Airline Jebel Hatta, Meydan, Gr.1,

EMPRESS JOSEPHINE: Irish 1000 Guineas, Curragh, Gr.1,

FLAG OF HONOUR: Comer Group International Irish St Leger, Curragh, Gr.1

FOREVER TOGETHER: Investec Oaks Stakes, Epsom Downs, Gr.1,

FOUND: Qatar Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe, Chantilly, Gr.1, Total Prix Marcel Boussac, Parislongchamp, Gr.1, Longines Breeders' Cup Turf, Keeneland, Gr.1,

FOUNDRY: The Metropolitan, Randwick, Gr.1,

FRANKEL: Dubai Dewhurst Stakes, Newmarket, Gr.1, JLT Lockinge Stakes, Newbury, Gr.1, Juddmonte International Stakes, York, Gr.1, Qipco 2000 Guineas Stakes, Newmarket, Gr.1, Qipco Champion Stakes, Ascot, Gr.1, Qipco Queen Elizabeth II Stakes, Ascot, Gr.1, Qipco Sussex Stakes, Goodwood, Gr.1, Qipco Sussex Stakes, Goodwood, Gr.1, Queen Anne Stakes, Ascot, Gr.1, St James's Palace Stakes, Ascot, Gr.1

GALIKOVA: Qatar Prix Vermeille, Parislongchamp, Gr.1,

GLENEAGLES: Goffs Vincent O'Brien National Stakes, Curragh, Gr.1, Qipco 2000 Guineas Stakes, Newmarket, Gr.1, St James's Palace Stakes, Ascot, Gr.1, Tattersalls Irish 2000 Guineas, Curragh, Gr.1,

GOLDEN LILAC: Poule d'Essai des Pouliches, Parislongchamp, Gr.1, Prix d'Ispahan, Parislongchamp, Gr.1, Prix de Diane Longines, Chantilly, Gr.1,

GREAT HEAVENS: Darley Irish Oaks, Curragh, Gr.1,

HAPPILY: Moyglare Stud Stakes, Curragh, Gr.1, Qatar Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere - Al Hazm, Chantilly, Gr.1,

HERMOSA: Qipco 1000 Guineas Stakes, Newmarket, Gr.1, Tattersalls Irish 1000 Guineas, Curragh, Gr.1,

HIGHLAND REEL: Investec Coronation Cup, Epsom Downs, Gr.1, King George VI & Queen Elizabeth Stakes, Ascot, Gr.1, Prince of Wales's Stakes, Ascot, Gr.1, Longines Hong Kong Vase, Sha Tin, Gr.1, Longines Hong Kong Vase, Sha Tin, Gr.1, Longines Breeders' Cup Turf, Santa Anita, Gr.1, Secretariat Stakes, Arlington, Gr.1,

HYDRANGEA: British Champions Fillies/Mare Stakes, Ascot, Gr.1, Coolmore Fastnet Rock Matron Stakes, Leopardstown, Gr.1,

IGUGU: J & B Met, Kenilworth, Gr.1, South African Fillies Classic, Turffontein, Gr.1, Vodacom Durban July Handicap, Greyville, Gr.1, Woolavington 2000, Greyville, Gr.1,

IMPERIAL MONARCH: Juddmonte Grand Prix de Paris, Parislongchamp, Gr.1,

INTELLO: Prix du Jockey Club, Chantilly, Gr.1,

JAPAN: Juddmonte International Stakes, York, Gr.1, Juddmonte Grand Prix de Paris, Parislongchamp, Gr.1,

JOAN OF ARC: Prix de Diane, Chantilly, Gr.1,

JOHANNES VERMEER: Criterium International, Saint-Cloud, Gr.1,

KEW GARDENS: William Hill St Leger Stakes, Doncaster, Gr.1, Juddmonte Grand Prix de Paris, Parislongchamp, Gr.1,

KINGSBARNS: Racing Post Trophy, Doncaster, Gr.1

LILY OF THE VALLEY: Nyse Euronext Prix de l'Opera, Parislongchamp, Gr.1,

LINE OF DUTY: Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf, Churchill Downs, Gr.1,

LOVE: 1000 Guineas, Newmarket, Gr.1, Moyglare Stud Stakes, Curragh, Gr.1, Prince of Wales's Stakes, Ascot, Gr.1, The Oaks, Epso, Gr.1, Yorkshire Oaks, York, Gr.1,

LUSH LASHES : Coolmore Fusaichi Pegasus Matron Stakes, Leopardstown, Gr.1, Coronation Stakes, Ascot, Gr.1, Darley Yorkshire Oaks, Newmarket, Gr.1,

MAGIC ATTITUDE: Belmont Oaks Invitational Stakes, Belmont Park, Gr.1,

MAGIC WAND: Seppelt LKS Mackinnon Stakes, Flemington, Gr.1,

MAGICAL: British Champions Fillies/Mare Stakes, Ascot, Gr.1, Irish Champion Stakes, Leopardstown, Gr.1, Pretty Polly Stakes, Curragh, Gr.1, QIPCO Irish Champion Stakes, Leopardstown, Gr.1, Qipco Champion Stakes, Ascot, Gr.1, Tattersalls Gold Cup, Curragh, Gr.1, Tattersalls Gold Cup, Curragh, Gr.1,

MAGICIAN: Tattersalls Irish 2000 Guineas, Curragh, Gr.1, Breeders' Cup Turf, Santa Anita, Gr.1,

MARVELLOUS: Etihad Airways Irish 1000 Guineas, Curragh, Gr.1.

MAYBE: Moyglare Stud Stakes, Curragh, Gr.1,

MINDING: Dubai Fillies' Mile Stakes, Newmarket, Gr.1, Investec Oaks Stakes, Epsom Downs, Gr.1, Moyglare Stud Stakes, Curragh, Gr.1, Qatar Nassau Stakes, Goodwood, Gr.1, Qipco 1000 Guineas Stakes, Newmarket, Gr.1, Qipco Queen Elizabeth II Stakes, Ascot, Gr.1, Sea the Stars Pretty Polly Stakes, Curragh, Gr.1,

MISTY FOR ME: Etihad Airways Irish 1000 Guineas, Curragh, Gr.1, Moyglare Stud Stakes, Curragh, Gr.1, Stobart Ireland Pretty Polly Stakes, Curragh, Gr.1, Total Prix Marcel Boussac, Parislongchamp, Gr.1,

MOGUL: Grand Prix de Paris, Parislongchamp, Gr.1, The Hong Kong Vase, Sha Tin, Gr.1,

MONDIALISTE: Ricoh Woodbine Mile Stakes, Woodbine, Gr.1, Arlington Million, Arlington International, Gr.1,

NATHANIEL: Coral Eclipse Stakes, Sandown Park, Gr.1, King George VI & Queen Elizabeth Stakes, Ascot, Gr.1,

NEW APPROACH: Bank of Scotland (Ire) National Stakes, Curragh, Gr.1, Darley Dewhurst Stakes, Newmarket, Gr.1, Emirates Airline Champion Stakes, Newmarket, Gr.1, Tatts Millions Irish Champion Stakes, Leopardstown, Gr.1, Vodafone Derby Stakes, Epsom, Gr.1,

NIGHTIME: Boylesports Irish 1000 Guineas, Curragh, Gr.1.

NOBLE MISSION: Qipco Champion Stakes, Ascot, Gr.1, Tattersalls Gold Cup, Curragh, Gr.1, Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud, Saint-Cloud, Gr.1,

ORDER OF ST GEORGE: Comer Group International Irish St Leger, Curragh, Gr.1, Palmerstown House Estate Irish St Leger, Curragh, Gr.1, The Queen's 90th Birthday Ascot Gold Cup, Ascot, Gr.1,

PEACEFUL: Tattersalls Irish 1000 Guineas, Curragh, Gr.1,

PHOTO CALL: First Lady Stakes, Keeneland, Gr.1, Rodeo Drive Stakes, Santa Anita, Gr.1,

RED ROCKS: John Deere Breeders' Cup Turf, Churchill Downs, Gr.1, Man O'War Stakes, Belmont Park, Gr.1,

RHODODENDRON: Al Shaqab Lockinge Stakes, Newbury, Gr.1, Dubai Fillies' Mile Stakes, Newmarket, Gr.1, Prix de l'Opera Longines, Chantilly, Gr.1,

RIP VAN WINKLE: BGC Sussex Stakes, Goodwood, Gr.1, Juddmonte International Stakes, York, Gr.1, Sony Queen Elizabeth II Stakes, Ascot, Gr.1,

RODERIC O'CONNOR: Abu Dhabi Irish 2000 Guineas, Curragh, Gr.1, Criterium International, Saint-Cloud, Gr.1,

RULER OF THE WORLD: Investec Derby Stakes, Epsom Downs, Gr.1,

SANS FRONTIERES: Irish Field Irish St Leger, Curragh, Gr.1,

SEARCH FOR A SONG : Comer Int. Irish St Leger, Curragh, Gr.1, Irish St Leger, Curragh, Gr.1,

SERPENTINE: Derby Stakes, Epsom Downs, Gr.1.

SEVENTH HEAVEN: Darley Irish Oaks, Curragh, Gr.1, Darley Yorkshire Oaks, York, Gr.1,

SEVILLE: The Metropolitan Handicap, Randwick, Gr.1,

SHALE: Moyglare Stud Stakes, Curragh, Gr.1,

SIXTIES ICON: Ladbrokes St Leger Stakes, York, Gr.1,

SOLDIER OF FORTUNE: Budweiser Irish Derby, Curragh, Gr.1, Juddmonte Coronation Cup, Epsom Downs, Gr.1,

SOVEREIGN: Dubai Irish Derby, Curragh, Gr.1,

TAPESTRY: Darley Yorkshire Oaks, York, Gr.1,

TEOFILO: Darley Dewhurst Stakes, Newmarket, Gr.1, Laing O'Rourke National Stakes, Curragh, Gr.1,

THE GURKHA: Qatar Sussex Stakes, Goodwood, Gr.1, Poule d'Essai des Poulains, Deauville, Gr.1,

TOGETHER: Queen Elizabeth II Challenge Cup Stakes, Keeneland, Gr.1,

TOGETHER FOREVER: Dubai Fillies' Mile Stakes, Newmarket, Gr.1

TREASURE BEACH: Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby, Curragh, Gr.1, Secretariat Stakes, Arlington Int., Gr.1,

ULYSSES: Coral Eclipse Stakes, Sandown Park, Gr.1, Juddmonte International Stakes, York, Gr.1,

WALDGEIST: Criterium de Saint-Cloud, Saint-Cloud, Gr.1, Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud, Saint-Cloud, Gr.1, Prix Ganay, Parislongchamp, Gr.1, Qatar Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe, Parislongchamp, Gr.1,

WAS: Investec Oaks Stakes, Epsom Downs, Gr.1,

WINTER: Coronation Stakes, Ascot, Gr.1, Qatar Nassau Stakes, Goodwood, Gr.1, Qipco 1000 Guineas Stakes, Newmarket, Gr.1, Tattersalls Irish 1000 Guineas, Curragh, Gr.1,

The 2017 Coolmore Fasnet Rock Matron Stakes is fought out by two daughters of Galileo - Hydrangea and Winter