The Exceed And Excel mare Chil Chil may have earned a shot at the Group 1 July Cup at Newmarket on July 10 following a victory at her stakes debut in Saturday’s Group III Chipchase Stakes (6f) on the Tapeta at Newcastle.
Ridden by Silvestre De Sousa, the Andrew Balding-trained mare finished strongly to defeat the leader Good Effort (Shamardal) by three-quarters of a length with a further half-length back to Diligent Harry (Due Diligence) in third.
The 5yo old mare advances her record to six wins, three seconds and two thirds from 15 starts with earnings of £120,015.
Chil Chil made her 2021 debut in April when second over 6-furlongs at Newmarket before a dominant three and a half-length win over the same course and distance a fortnight later.
“She’s a very talented mare, De Sousa said.
“She has disappointed a few times, but when she’s right she’s very good.
“She was very lean early on last year but she’s different now, she’s grown up a lot mentally and physically.”
Balding floated the idea of a July Cup start, fearing the daughter of Exceed And Excel may be weighted out of the Stewards’ Cup.
“I’m delighted, she’s a mare who has improved a lot since last year,” Balding said.
“She’s very effective on a sound surface and I’m delighted she’s now a now group-race winner.
“We couldn’t run her in the Wokingham at Royal Ascot last week because of the soft ground and it’s worked out well.
“I think we’ve probably blown our cover for the Stewards’ Cup now given the weights haven’t been published yet.
“If the ground came up fast, I think we’ll probably have a crack at the July Cup.”
Bred by Fiona Denniff,Chil Chil was a 500,000gns purchaseby SackvilleDonald from the draft of Rosyground Stud at the Tattersalls October Yearling Sale Book 2
The daughter of Exceed And Excel is a half-sister to the 5-time Group II winner Beat The Bank (Paco Boy) who was runner-up in the Group 1 Royal Ascot Queen Anne Stakes.
They are among the seven winners from as many to race out of the wonderful producer Tiana (Diktat) whose career highlight on the track came when third in the Listed Oh So Sharp Stakes at Newmarket.
Chil Chil becomes the 185th stakes-winner for Darley Stud’s foundation stallion Exceed And Excel who lines up for his 18th season in 2021 with his fee set at $132,000.
