European sires fire on the Gold Coast

Exceed And Excel concludes Book 1 of the Magic Million with an excellent average of $335,000

Book 1 of the Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale concluded on Saturday 14 January with some notable results for Darley’s European roster.

Perennially one of Australia’s top stallions, Exceed And Excel (pictured) enjoyed a very good sale with his 12 lots averaging $335,000 (£206,000/€236,000), making him the third top sire with three or more to sell. With seven lots who sold for $300,000 or more, his highest was a $550,000 (£339,000/€388,000) purchase made by Aquis/Blue Sky Bloodstock for a colt out of the G1 winning Scenic mare Episode.

Poet’s Voice only has one offered in Book 1, a filly out of the Danehill mare Bells Will Ring, but she was highly sought after, eventually selling for $210,000 (£129,000/€148,000) to James Bester Bloodstock and Stuart Webb.

Dawn Approach, whose first northern hemisphere juveniles race in 2017, had a 100% clearance rate with all four that were offered being sold including a $240,000 (£148,000/€169,000) sale for lot 483, a colt out of St Trinians that was purchased by Astute Bloodstock.

The progeny of the first crop of Epaulette were in demand with six topping $100,000 with a high of $260,000 (£160,000/$183,000) whereas Sepoy enjoyed a high price of $300,000 (£185,000/€211,000).

Exceed And Excel will be standing this coming season at Kildangan Stud at a fee of $50,000 alongside his G1-winning compatriot Epaulette, who stands at €7,000 and Dawn Approach at €30,000. At Dalham Hall Stud in Newmarket, Poet’s Voice will be covering at a fee of £8,000 with Sepoy at £15,000.