The progeny of Exceed And Excel notched another Pattern success on Saturday when his filly, Sugar Babe (pictured here winning as a two-year-old), won the G3 H D F McNeil Stakes at Caulfield.
Trained by Lee Freedman, she was making her seasonal debut and did well to score as she had to race wide for most of the way. She will now head to the Guineas Prelude in three weeks' time before the 1000 Guineas in mid-October.
Sugar Babe was a $500,000 Magic Millions purchase and was bred by Strawberry Hill Stud from Multiple Group-winning mare On Type (Zeditave).
In Ireland, Exceed And Excel took his European tally to 17 individual winners when Paddy The Pro was victorious in the five-furlong Maiden at Dundalk. Bred by Eamon Molony Jr, he is out of the Kingmambo mare Vinicky and from the family of Champion sire, Lyphard.
The champion freshman sire in Australia last season, Exceed And Excel has made a tremendous start with his first European crop, siring four Stakes horses so far including Royal Ascot winner, Flashmans Papers and last weekend's G2 scorer, Infamous Angel. He currently sits second in the European first-season sires' table behind fellow Darley stallion, Kheleyf.
In Sydney, the Red Ransom colt Duporth, ran out a very game winner of G2 Golden Rose Stakes at Rosehill. Headed by the filly Stripper inside the final furlong he battled on gamely to score under jockey Hugh Boman, who said after the race: "He oozes class and is the best three-year-old I have ridden since Exceed And Excel."
Duporth's main aim will now be the A$1m Caulfield Guineas. Bred by Mr P & Mrs W Moran, he is a half-brother to G1 winner Excites, out of the G2-winning mare, Staging.
Halling's progeny are noted as being tough and progressive and his daughter, Mythical Lady looks to share all those traits. Having her thirteenth start of the year for her trainer Aidan O'Brien, she gained her first Stakes success when taking the Listed Ruby Stakes at Dundalk. She was bred by Whisperview Trading Ltd, and is a granddaughter of the Champion filly and three-time G1 winner, Sonic Lady.
