ON THIS DAY - 28th DECEMBER

On this day in 1612 Galileo first observed Neptune - Galileo recorded a "fixed star" without realising it was a planet.

Galileo is also the name of an Irish thoroughbred racehorse and sire. He is best known for having won the Derby, Irish Derby Stakes, and King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes in 2001. After his retirement, Galileo became one of the most sought after sires in the world. He first became the leading sire in Great Britain and Ireland in 2008, then consecutively earned the title from 2010 through 2020. In 2020, he set the record for the number of Epsom Derby winners sired at five.