It's been a breakout season for Darley Stud's Exceed and
Excel so it seems fitting that the champion stallion elect should put his stamp
on another stakes race with his 3yo son Eximius
landing Saturday's Listed Sunshine Coast Guineas (1600m).
Already the winner of the Listed Hilton Hotels Stakes, the
3yo gelding flagged his credentials at his most recent start when second behind
Lonhro gelding Academus in the Listed Daybreak Lover at Eagle Farm.
Ridden by Larry Cassidy for Caulfield-based trainer Mick Price, Eximius came with a powerful finish from back in the field to defeat the favourite Lucky Hussler (Husson) by three-quarters of a length with a half-length to Casino Card (Casino Prince) in third.
Bred by Edinburgh Park's Ian Smith, Eximius was a $100,000
yearling purchase by Rockmount at the 2011 Inglis Premier Yearling Sale from
the draft of Supreme Thoroughbreds who had successfully pinhooked the son of
Exceed And Excel at the Magic Millions Weanling Sale for $60,000.
Eximius is the first foal of the Sydney winning Dehere (USA)
mare Allegra a half-sister to the Listed winner Cat D'Antibes from the family
of Group 1 winners A little Kiss, Rebel Raider and Brave Warrior.
Now owned by Kia Ora Stud, Allegra has a 2yo filly by Fastnet
Rock named Oyster Island, a yearling filly by Stratum and a weanling colt by
Exceed And Excel. She was bred back to Fastnet Rock last year but failed to
conceive.
Currently leading Fastnet Rock by $600,000 in the race for
Australia's leading sire of the season, Exceed And Excel has produced 71 stakes
winners worldwide this season.
The son of Danehill is assured of the champion 2yo sire
title following the Golden Slipper victory of Overreach, while Darley homebred Guelph
captured the ATC Sires' Produce Stakes and Champagne Stakes.
