Track's proud reputation as a prelude to great things

In 30 years reporting from the Galway festival I have witnessed maiden success for a host of smart juveniles, many of whom have gone on to greater things. This subjective top-ten list shows how next week's juvenile runners have a lot to live up to.

1 GreySwallow

In 2003 Dermot Weld deviated from his usual strategy of giving a Galway-bound juvenile a prep-run. When Grey Swallow, a Daylami colt bred by his mother Marguerite, was withdrawn at the start on his intended debut at the Curragh, he was rerouted to Ballybrit where he trounced the opposition by ten lengths. Brendan Sheridan, who acted as Judge that day, has said he never saw a horse go as fast from the dip to the finish line in any race at Galway. No less impressive in winning the Killavullan Stakes by eight lengths, he started his Classic season with a Listed win at Leopardstown. Fourth to Haafhd in the 2,000 Guineas, and third to Bachelor Duke in the Irish 2,000 Guineas, he came into his own again when stepped up to 1m4f, defeating the Derby winner North Light in the Irish Derby. He gained a second Group 1 win at the expense of top-class French horse Bago in the 2004 Tattersalls Gold Cup. At five he won the Grade 2 Jim Murray Memorial Handicap at Hollywood Park.