Best On Breeding

Mark Smith - Thursday February 23

Except for family and friends and a few loyal Sandgropers, Jamie Kah returned to a muted reception when earning her second Group 1 success on a $101 chance. It will be a different scenario at Sandown-Lakeside on Saturday if the popular jockey chalks up her tenth triumph at the elite level on a close relative of the shock winner.

That winner was the Western Australian 6yo gelding Gatting, which ventured east for the first time in 38 starts to claim the Makybe Diva Stakes (1600m) at Flemington over the pride of Tasmania, Mystic Journey.

Since that success in 2019, Kah is now in demand from all the top stables.

That includes Godolphin, who entrusted Kah with the ride on the undefeated Barber in the Blue Diamond Stakes.

Advertisement

Jamie Kah guides Barber to victory in Blue Diamond Prelude (image Grant Courtney)

The son of Exceed and Excel is a homebred son of the Group III STC Research Stakes winner Trim (Lonhro), a sister to Stubborn, the dam of the $2 million earner, Gatting (Hard Spun).

Stubborn was a 7-start maiden. A bargain $17,000 purchase at the 2013 Magic Millions National Broodmare Sale, Stubborn went through the same sale in 2018 where Mark Pilkington Management/Cornerstone Stud purchased her for $200,000.

Sadly, the Hinchinbrook filly she was carrying died after birth, and Stubborn never had another foal.

It has been a similar tale of woe for Trim, who died in 2020, and Barber is her final foal.

The daughter of Lonhro was a very talented racemare. In addition to her win over Montana Flyer and Girl Hussler in the Group III Research Stakes at Rosehill, she captured the Listed Red Roses Stakes at Flemington on Victoria Oaks Day.   

Among her notable defeats, Trim was an honourable second to the champion More Joyous in the Group II Light Fingers Stakes and was runner-up in the Group II Champagne stakes at Doomben, Listed Ken Russell Classic at the Gold Coast, was third in the Wenona Girl stakes won by Ofcourseican, and was beaten less than a length when fourth behind Faint Perfume, Response and No Evidence Needed in the Group II Kewney Stakes.

Trim had five foals, two of which were fillies, the best being Barber’s sister Manicure.

The daughter of Exceed And Excel won the Group III MRC How Now Stakes and Listed BRC Nudgee Handicap. She was also runner-up to Houtzen in the Group III PJ Bell Stakes, Tofane in the Group III Northwood Plume Stakes, and Alassio in the Group III Triscay Stakes to Invincibella in the $1,000,000 Magic Millions Fillies and Mares.

Manicure has a yearling colt by Street Boss (USA), a filly foal by I Am Invincible, and is back in foal to Street Boss (USA).

A daughter of the Group III winner Firm (Night Shift), Trim is from a family nurtured by Doug Reid at his St John’s Lane Stud, Victoria.

It traces back to the VRC Mimosa Stakes winner Faithful City (Orgoglio), whose daughter Faithfully Yours produced the champion Maybe Mahal.

Barber has given supporters plenty of concern in his three starts, which have come by narrow margins. Still, there is no denying he is enormously talented and a stunning individual.

It is a testament to the longevity of Exceed And Excel at the top level that his two previous Blue Diamond Stakes winners came with Reward For Effort in 2009 and Earthquake in 2014.

Exceed And Excel had Blue Diamond winners in his second and seventh crop. Can he get one in his 16th?

Advertisment
More Reading...
Jenni Lets Loose At The Valley
Smart staying mare Jennivamoose recorded her third victory at The Valley when winning the Simpson Construction Handicap (2500m) in similar fashion to her previous victory at the venue.
Wootton Bassett Juvenile G2 Double
Wootton Bassett (GB) featured in Ireland overnight at The Curragh with two stakes-winning juveniles, Constitution River taking out the the Group II Futurity (7f), while the Group II Debutante (7f) went to the filly Composing, who comes from the family of Amelia’s Jewel.
Carlyon Stakes To Baraqiel – Second SW For Snitzel
Successful in the Group 2 McEwen Stakes (1200m) last time in, Sniztel’s 7yo son Baraqiel continued his outstanding record at the Moonee Valley circuit, resuming to win the Listed Carlyon Stakes (1000m) first up, highlighting potential Group 1 spring aims.
Winning Return for the Best in Australia - Via Sistina
Set to be crowned Australia’s Horse of the Year for last season, the mighty Fastnet Rock mare Via Sistina (IRE) returned on a rain soaked track at Randwick on Saturday to win the $1million Group I ATC Winx Stakes (1400m).
Sires With Winners - Saturday August 23
Here is the full list of 106 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Wuddzz Caps Fine 24 Hours For Dwyer
Handy stayer Wuddzz came with a well-timed run under Tim Clark to land the Gold Coast Turf Club Trophy (2400m) at Randwick.
Inglis Digital Buy Barber Wins Takeover Target
Having just his second start for his new connections after being purchased for $215,000 from the Godolphin draft at last year’s Inglis Digital December Online Sale, Exceed And Excel gelding Barber captured the $250,000 Listed Takeover Target Stakes (1200m) at Gosford.
Sterling Express Wins G2 Foxbridge Plate
Sterling Express stepped up to Group level for the first time in Saturday’s Gr.2 Waikato Stud Foxbridge Plate (1200m) at Te Rapa, and a stunning last-to-first performance showed that he belongs.
Third Black Type Win For Snitzel’s Lazzura
A member of the Waller team to hold a dual acceptance leading into Saturday’s Randwick meeting, it was the Group 3 Show County Quality (1200m) where 4yo Snitzel mare Lazzura came out on top, recording her third black type victory.
Exceed And Excel's Barber from Last to First in Golden Gift
A Group I Breeders Cup Turf Juvenile Sprint winner at Keeneland in the morning and a $ 1 million two-year-old stakes winner at Rosehill in the afternoon - another good day at the office for Darley Stud’s flagship stallion Exceed And Excel.