Exceed And Excels James Garfield Claims Mill Reef Stakes

Mark Smith - Sunday September 24

Following a narrow defeat in the Group III Acomb Stakes at York, Exceed And Excel's James Garfield went one better in the Group II Mill Reef Stakes at Newbury.

Carrying the colours of his breeder Bill Gredley, James Garfield defeated the favourite Invincible Army (Invincible Spirit) by three-quarters of a length with Nebo (Kodiac) a half-length back in third.

With just one unplaced run in six starts, James Garfield has had a comparatively busy season but it's not over yet.

Advertisement

A first Group win for trainer George Scott, James Garfield will now head to America for the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf.


It's been some week for Scott following his marriage to Gredley's daughter.

"We went away for a couple of days in Majorca, but we are going on a proper honeymoon in January. I got married a week ago today so it has been a pretty amazing week," Scott told Sporting Life.

"He has danced every dance this year and has been unlucky on several occasions. He has shown it over five, six and seven furlongs now, so he is a pretty versatile horse. He has improved physically the whole time and I am slightly lost for words really.

"It was all pretty smooth for Frankie (Dettori). He said he was where he wanted to be, although he lost his position, he had plenty of horse and hit the line great - it was dream stuff really.

"We will go to the Breeders' Cup now. The Breeders' Cup has always been the race we've been wanting to go to.

"Exceed and Excel's have always gone great out there, he has got tactical speed and he will get a tight mile. Since he sat on him at York, Frankie has always been keen to go to the Breeders' Cup. If he ran in the first four here, that was the plan.

"He has made hay this year. People might think he is just a two-year-old, but he has grown and strengthened and put on plenty of condition. There is no reason why he can't keep progressing.

"I would imagine he would go for a seven-furlong trial (next year), then we have the two options, we can either go up to a mile or come back to six for the Commonwealth Cup."

A half-brother to the stakes-placed The Shrew, James Garfield is the best of four winners out of the stakes-winning Daylami mare Whazzat who hails from the family of Invincible Spirit  as well as star 2YO sire Kodiac and Coolmore's young gun sire Pride of Dubai, who covered 158 mares in Ireland this year.

Whazzat has a 2017 colt by Darley stallion Golden Horn.

James Garfield becomes the 137th stakes winner for Darley Stud's Exceed And Excel who is currently working his way through his 14th book of mares at Kelvinside where he stands at a fee of $110,000.

Advertisment
More Reading...
Sensational Seven - Autumn Glow Remains Unbeaten With G1 Epsom Victory
Chasing her first Group 1 victory and in the process attempting to remain unbeaten, outstanding 4yo mare Autumn Glow did all that and more, jumping from the outside barrier to give Chris Waller his sixth victory in the $1.5m Group 1 ATC Epsom Handicap (1600m) at Randwick on Saturday.
So You Think Filly Wins G2 Edward Manifold
Danny O’Brien believes he has the Group I VRC Oaks in his sights with So You Think filly Getta Good Feeling breaking her maiden in the best way possible with a last stride win in the Group II VRC Edward Manifold Stakes (1600m) at Flemington on Saturday.
War Machine Stakes Everest Claim - G2 Gilgai
David Hayes has a New Zealand-bred superstar heading into the A$20 million Gr.1 The Everest (1200m) in two weeks, where his sons Ben, Will and JD Hayes might line up against him with a Kiwi-bred Group One winner of their own.
Sir Delius Delivers G1 Turnbull Stakes Win
Adding Saturday’s $750,000 Group 1 VRC Turnbull Stakes (2000m) to his Group 1 MRC Underwood Stakes (1800m) victory last start, the Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott trained Sir Delius further enhanced his outstanding reputation ahead of an assault on the WS Cox Plate and Melbourne Cup.
Apocalyptic Crowned Darley Princess with G1 Flight Victory
Extreme Choice filly Apocalyptic has been the dominant force in the Darley Princess Series this year and she claimed the jewel in the crown at Randwick on Saturday with a commanding win in the $750,000 Group I ATC Flight Stakes (1600m).
G1 Metrop Win for Australian Bloodstock
Second in the Italian Derby at three, progressive stayer Royal Supremacy (IRE) had racked up multiple Group placings in Europe before his sale to Australian Bloodstock and broke through for his first ever stakes win when taking out the $750,000 Group I ATC The Metropolitan (2400m) at Randwick on Saturday.
Miraval Rose Impresses With G2 Rose Of Kingston Stakes Win
Already a Listed winner at 3 and 4, Grahame Begg’s Grunt mare Miraval Rose added her third black type victory to her record, winning the $300,000 Group 2 VRC Rose Of Kingston Stakes (1400m) in style at Flemington on Saturday.
Derby Options Alive For Impending Colt
Tony and Calvin McEvoy look to have a smart 3yo on their hands as Impending colt Options wins the Listed VRC Super Impose Stakes (1800m) at Flemington and could now be aimed towards the $2m Group 1 VRC Derby (2500m) on November 1.
Sires With Winners - Saturday October 4
Here is the full list of 119 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Inglis and Yulong Confirm Magic Time for Everest Slot
Inglis will partner with worldwide racing and breeding powerhouse Yulong for the running of the 2025 The Everest, with the combination to be represented by Magic Time in the $20m contest.