While the defeat of any even-money favourite might be seen as a disappointment, the connections of Galikova, runner-up at those odds in the Prix de Diane Longines, cannot be dispirited by their filly’s second place.
Galikova is, of course, the three-year-old half-sister to the triple Breeders’ Cup Mile heroine Goldikova. As such, Galikova has attracted plenty of attention right from the outset.
While the two fillies are by stallions with contrasting profiles (Goldikova is by the champion sprinter Anabaa, while Galikova is by the dual Derby winner Galileo) it seems very easy to view them as peas from the same pod. And the really exciting thought is that, thus far, Galikova’s accomplishments are ahead of the schedule set by Goldikova three years ago.
While Galikova is already a Group winner (of the Prix Cleopatre), Goldikova did not post her first Group race success until July of her three-year-old campaign. And, while Galikova has finished second in the Prix de Diane, Goldikova could only manage third place in the 2008 edition of that race, beaten three lengths and one-and-a-half by Zarkava and Gagnoa.
As we know, Goldikova’s achievements have got better and better as the years have gone on. What price Galikova similarly galloping her way into the hearts of race-goers on both sides of the Atlantic?
