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Exceed And Excel topped the days trade after selling to Coolmore’s Tom Magnier for $1.1 million.
Prominent owner-breeder Nick Wakim kicked off his new association with Milburn Creek in the best possible way at the Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale yesterday, when his colt by ever-popular Darley shuttler Exceed And Excel (Danehill) topped the days trade after selling to Coolmore's Tom Magnier for $1.1 million.
Catalogued as Lot 255, the colt is the first foal out of the unraced Frankel (Galileo) mare Dream In Colour, who was purchased for Wakim by Peter Ford Thoroughbreds for $750,000 at the 2018 Magic Millions Gold Coast National Broodmare Sale. The mare is a half-sister to the stakes-placed Chamarel (Exceed And Excel) and a daughter of the South Australian Group 3 winner Colour (More Than Ready). Further back this is the family of Golden Slipper (Gr 1, 1200m) winner Forensics (Flying Spur).
Wakim said the yearling had always been a standout since the day he was born and he was extremely popular all the way through the inspections.
"He's a been a cracking colt from day one at home and it's a fantastic result," said Wakim. "We obviously moved to Milburn Creek this year and they have done a fantastic job with him and he has been the best of our colts this year.
"He had over 30 hits on the x-rays and about 165 views. He was very popular and we knew he was going to be a nice colt. I think he went over what we expected so that is a nice bonus. He has gone to a great home and we wish them all the best. We have the mare and the sister at home and she will race with me.
"I've always liked the stallion. I think at the price he is good value and the sister we have is an even better type believe it or not. I think we will probably go back."
Wakim said the relationship between him and John Muir of Milburn Creek had come at the recommendation from Arrowfield Stud's bloodstock manager Jon Fryer.
"I was having lunch with John Messara and we were looking at where we were going to go and Jon Fryer suggested that we speak to Milburn and I called John (Muir) and that's how it started," Wakim said. "We are very happy, first horse out of the gate and it's a great result."
Milburn Creek's John Muir echoed Wakim's sentiments and was happy to see horse realise the figure he did.
"Exceed And Excel is one of the best shuttle stallions in the world and out of a Frankel mare he just ticked all the boxes," said Muir. "He was most certainly the most popular horse in our draft and all the good judges wanted to look at him."
Meanwhile, Magnier said Coolmore were happy to have been able to secure the colt, whom they rated as an exceptional physical.
"He was exceptional physical, a very nice type out of a Frankel mare," said Magnier. "All the judges were on him, so we'll take him home, break him in and see where we go from there.
"Things are very positive in this country, prize-money is very high, so it is a great place to race horses. We are out there now to find colts and hopefully we get a bit of luck along the way.
"For the top colts this week you're going to have to pay for them.
"John and Trish Muir have got a really good farm and are very good breeders, so when they put in a quality colt in their draft everyone takes them very seriously."
