One of the Darley originals, Exceed And Excel, is working through his 20th book of mares in the Hunter Valley.
Already in rarefied air, as the sire of 212 stakes-winners, the son of Danehill continues to build on his reputation as a broodmare sire and, in that capacity, may well have the best two-year-old colt in Europe.
At Newmarket overnight, the Simon and Ed Crisford-trained Vandeek kept his record at a perfect four for four in the Group 1 Middle Park Stakes.
Ridden by James Doyle, Havana Grey put two and a quarter lengths on Juddmonte's highly regarded Frankel colt Task Force, with Ballydoyle's Group II Coventry Stakes inner RiverTiber a head back in third.
It was no surprise as Vandeek had beaten River Tiber by the same margin in the Group 1 Prix Morny at Deaville at his previous start when Christopher Head's Group II Prix Robert Papin winner Ramatuelle came as close as anything to Vandeek. The son of Justify (USA) went within a short-neck.
Vandeek has been a headline hogger from the day he was knocked down to Anthony Stroud for 625,000gns from Glending Stables at the Tattersalls Craven Breeze Up Sale.
Following a first-up win at Nottingham on July 21, the grey was backed as if unbeatable in the Group II Richmond Stakes. He defeated the talented Ballymount Boy, who runs on the Arc undercard tonight in the Group 1 Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere (Grand Criterium).
There is not a lot to enthuse over close-up in Vandeek's pedigree.
His dam Mosa Mine (Exceed And Excel) remained winless in eleven starts, although all five of her foals to race have talent.
Her daughter Doncaster Rosa (Alhebayeb) was (head scratchingly) honoured as Champion 3YO Male in Switzerland in 2020.
But it takes little delving back into the pedigree to see where the magic happens.
Mosa Mine's dam Baldemosa (Lead On Time) is a half-sister to Group 1 Prix Robert Papin winner Balbonella, dam of the ace Widden Stud shuttler Anabaa, successful stallion Key Of Luck, and the Group 1 Dubai Pouled'Essai des Pouliches (French One Thousand Guineas) winner Always loyal.
Vandeek is the 13th Group 1 winner out of a daughter of Exceed And Excel.
Darley's blue hen Essaouira has two, Essaouira and Astern, and created more excitement when her lightly raced son Tassort hit the ground running as the sire of Group III ATC Gimcrack Stakes winner Manaal.
