Exceed and Excel Strikes Early at Breeders’ Cup

Tara Madgwick - Saturday November 5

The Breeders’ Cup meeting is underway in Kentucky and Darley’s champion sire Exceed and Excel showed his quality to produce the first Group I winner of the program when Godolphin homebred two year-old Mischief Magic scored a dazzling last to first win in the Group I Breeders Cup Turf Juvenile Sprint (5 ½ f).

Trained by Charlie Appleby and ridden by William Buick, Mischief Magic settled at the rear and unleashed a brilliant burst of speed to weave through the field and win by more than a length.

Already a Group III winner this year, Mischief Magic was a last start fourth in the Group I Middle Park Stakes and has now won four races from six starts.

Mischief Magic is a full brother to Group III winner Sound and Silence and is the second stakes-winner among six winners from Veil of Silence, an unraced half-sister by Elusive Quality to Group I winner Ibn Khaldun from Group I winner Gossamer.

Advertisement

Mischief Magic is the 17th Group I winner for Exceed and Excel.

The Exceed and Excel x Elusive Quality nick has been hugely successful producing 50 winners from 58 starters for 86%  winners to runner. There have been 11 stakes-winners bred this way headed by four time Australian Group I winning filly Guelph with the SW to runner strike rate at 18.9%.

Just turned 22, Exceed and Excel was in the news earlier this week as the grand-sire of Melbourne Cup winner Gold Trip, who is by his Group I winning son Outstrip, who also won a Breeders Cup Juvenile Turf.

Advertisment
More Reading...
Change of Luck For Baker As So You Think Gelding Shows Potential
Off the back of a few days that trainer Bjorn Baker would like to forget after the his two runners were withdrawn from the lucrative Magic Millions 2YO Classic, So You Think gelding Castagnola impressed on the Randwick Kensington track, breaking his maiden at just his second start.
Opportunity Knocks - Adelaide to Deliver Again in 2026
One of the Southern Hemisphere's most regarded and best producing auctions is ready to deliver more life changing moments this March with the online release of a quality catalogue for 2026.
Victoria’s WorkCover Reform Delivers Measurable Improvements for Trainers
Victorian trainers are seeing clear improvements in how WorkCover claims are managed and injuries are handled, following the introduction of a targeted initiative driven by Racing Victoria (RV) and the Australian Trainers’ Association (ATA) - one that could now be viewed as a national blueprint for industry-led reform.
Sires With Winners - Wednesday January 21
Here is the full list of 31 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Sires With Winners - Tuesday January 20
Here is the full list of 8 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Two State Double for Hello Youmzain
With the Karaka Book 1 Yearling Sale set to kick off this Sunday, the Cambridge Stud bred and sold filly Fast ‘n’ Inzaine rang up a double for her sire Hello Youmzain (Fr) when breaking the ice at Sandown on Wednesday and she has a half-sister to be offered next Monday.
Sliders tops Inglis January Online as Anamoe breeding right confirmed for Feb (Early) auction
The first Inglis Digital auction of 2026 was topped by well related mare Sliders – with an I Am Invincible colt foal at foot – selling for $400,000.
Facts and Figures: $1.5m TAB Karaka Millions 3YO
Group One performance is a recurring theme in the $1.5m TAB Karaka Millions 3YO (1600m), which will be run for the ninth time at Ellerslie this Saturday.
Aussie Sprinter Primed for G1 Sistema Railway
Cranbourne trainer Cindy Alderson left Ellerslie on Tuesday morning well satisfied that Jigsaw is on target for his Gr.1 Sistema Railway (1200m) mission.
Smart Hello Youmzain 3YO Salutes – Brother for K1
With the Karaka Book 1 Yearling Sale set to kick off this Sunday, the Cambridge Stud bred and sold Prince Charge cast off maiden status at Randwick on Wednesday bringing a timely update for his full brother to be offered next Monday.