On a day that saw a fitting end to a remarkable career of the outstanding Frankel, GoffsDBS graduate Excelebration was the hugely impressive winner of the only other Group 1 race on the card when taking the Group 1 Queen Elizabeth II Stakes by three lengths.
The son of Exceed and Excel was winning his third Group 1 contest, having finished second to Frankel in three other Group 1 contests, and heads to the Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Mile at Santa Anita next month. This may prove to be his last race as he is due to retire to Coolmore at the end of this season where he will surely be popular with breeders, especially after running to a career high rating of 135 today, just 4lbs behind the mighty Frankel.
The four year old was sold by Owenstown Stud to John Walsh Bloodstock for €15,000 at the Goffs November Foal Sales 2008 before he was reoffered by Owenstown Stud at the DBS Premier Sales 2009 where Marco Botti bought the colt for £20,000.
The day also saw the success of GoffsDBS graduate Maarek in the Group 2 Qipco British Champion Sprint Stakes. The son of Pivotal was following up his success in the Group 3 Renaissance Stakes in September and was bought by Emerald Bloodstock for £2,500 when sold as part of a draft from Shadwell Estates at the DBS April HIT Sales 2010. He was resold by Kilconnel Stables to EP Harty for €95,000 at the Goffs Horses in Training Sale 2011.
Next sales:
25 October 2012
6-7 November 2012