Greeley's Galaxy, a nine-length winner of the Illinois Derby (gr. II) has been retired and will stand at Susan and Howard Kaskel's Sugar Maple Farm in New York. Greeley's Galaxy is owned by a partnership and will stand for $7,500 Live Foal.Racing for B. Wayne Hughes, the son of Mr. Greeley – Ascot Starre, by Ascot Knight was a graded stakes performer and winner every year he raced. In his fourth career start and stakes debut, 9-5 favorite Greeley's Galaxy romped home in the Illinois Derby in a hand ride by 9 ½ lengths, one of the largest winning margins in stakes history. As a 4-year-old in 2006, Greeley's Galaxy finished third in the $200,000 San Fernando S. (gr. II) at Santa Anita. He retires with earnings of $446,222.
Dan Hayden, manager of Sugar Maple Farm said Greeley's Galaxy should prove very popular for Northeast horsemen. "Greeley's Galaxy had exceptional speed which he carried two turns, and those type of horses make sires. He broke his maiden wire-to-wire in remarkably fast time at six furlongs, then came right back to win over 8 ½ furlongs, both times at Santa Anita against top company," said Hayden. "But anyone who saw his effort in the Illinois Derby had to be impressed by the way he dominated that field. He just took charge of a major prep for the Kentucky Derby, pouring it on in the stretch to win by nearly 10 lengths. He is also by Mr. Greeley, the sire of El Corredor, one of the leading and most promising young stallions in Kentucky. We are very excited to offer breeders a stallion with his quality and potential."Greeley's Galaxy is the first foal out of his winning dam Ascot Starre, a half-sister to millionaire License Fee.