Champion Goldikova produces first foal, a colt by Galileo

Goldikova, a champion on two continents who won an unprecedented three consecutive editions of the Breeders' Cup Mile, gave birth to her first foal on Sunday, Feb. 3, a colt by leading international sire Galileo.

The colt was born at Coolmore Stud in County Tipperary, Ireland.

An 8-year-old Anabaa mare foaled in Ireland and based in France for Alain and Gerard Wertheimer and trainer Freddie Head, Goldikova won 17 of 27 career starts, only finishing out of the top three once, while earning $7,176,551. Fourteen of her victories came in Grade or Group 1 events in three countries.

Goldikova made three successful raids on the U.S. during her racing career, winning the Breeders' Cup Mile in 2008 and 2009 at Santa Anita—defeating defending champion Kip Deville in the former—before claiming the 2010 edition at Churchill Downs. That third victory, over three-time Eclipse Award winner Gio Ponti, made Goldikova the only horse to ever win three Breeders' Cup races. Her attempt to add a fourth fell short when she finished third in the 2011 Mile at Churchill Downs in her final career start.

The Wertheimer homebred was a nine-time Group 1 winner in France, taking four consecutive editions of the Prix Rothschild at Deauville. She was also a multiple Group 1 winner in England, counting the Queen Anne Stakes at Royal Ascot among her victories.

Goldikova earned the Cartier Award as Europe's champion older female in both 2009 and 2010, and won the Eclipse Award as North America's top turf female the same years. Goldikova also won the Cartier Award as Europe’s Horse of the Year in 2010.

Goldikova is out of the winning Blushing Groom mare Born Gold, dam of 11 winners from 13 starters, including Group 1 winner Galikova, by Galileo. The mare's other top runners include Group 3 winners Gold Round and Gold Sound, and Group 3-placed winners Born Something and Red Tune. Gold Round is the dam of two stakes winners, including Group 3 winner Goldwaki.