Ascot Win Puts Galileo on Breeders’ Cup Path

ASCOT, England — In the biggest showdown of the European racing season, Galileo beat Fantastic Light Saturday to win the $1-million King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Diamond Stakes.

This was the sixth consecutive victory for Galileo, who has also won the English Derby and Irish Derby. The 3-year-old is on course for a meeting with Point Given in the Breeders’ Cup Classic at Belmont Park Oct. 27.

Galileo, the 1-2 favorite, ran the 1 1/2 miles in 2 minutes 27.71 seconds. Jockey Michael Kinane won the race for the fourth time.

Fantastic Light, a 5-year-old ridden by Frankie Dettori, finished second, two lengths back. Hightori was another length back in third.

Co-owner Michael Tabor won the race for the second consecutive year.

The 51st running of the race was in effect a European championship, with the winners of the English, Irish, French and Italian derbies in the field of 12.