Winless in ten starts, the Exceed And Excel colt Ex Cetera (GB) broke his maiden over 1600m at Hanshin in June last year at his 3yo finale before emerging among the slickest sprinters in Japan this term.
The British-bred colt has been on a tear this season. Beginning his campaign with a win over 1400m at Kyoto on April 23, Ex Cetera (GB) captured a 1600m conditions race at Tokyo three weeks later.
After two months off the scene, the Keiji Yoshimura trained son of Exceed and Excel was dropped back to 1200m for the TVH Sho at Sapporo on Saturday, where he made it four on the bounce while stopping the clock at 1:07.5.
Ridden by Christophe Lemaire for Godolphin, Ex Cetera (GB) came from midfield to defeat fellow Godolphin import Blue Spirit (IRE) (Invincible Spirit) by a neck with Bright on Base (JPN) (Kitasan Black) a further one and three-quarter length back in third.
Paca Paca Stud purchased Ex Cetera (GB) for 70,000gns at Tattersalls December Foal Sale in 2019.
He is the third foal of the talented Fantastic Light (USA) mare Middle Club, a Group III winner at Chantilly, and multiple Group placed.
Middle Club is a half-sister to Group III winners Anna Nerium (Dubawi) and Piping Rock (Dubawi) and to the dam of English 1000 Guineas and Sun Chariot Stakes winner Billesdon Brook.
Middle Club’s granddam, the German champion Anna Paola, earned fame in Australia as the granddam of Godolphin’s remarkable broodmare Accessories (GB), the dam of Epaulette, Helmet, Pearls. Pericles and Bullbars.
