A protracted bidding duel marked the sale of Lot 640, a powerhouse colt by Exceed and Excel from dual Group I winning sprinter Platelet with Hawkes Racing prevailing over a persistent Coolmore.
Consigned by Cressfield, the colt is the second foal of Strategic mare Platelet, whose first foal, a colt by Fastnet Rock made just $80,000 at Inglis Classic in 2018.
Cressfield have built a highly successful breeding program through acquiring outstanding racemares and sending them to the best sires with this colt a shining example that is now the highest priced yearling ever sired by Exceed and Excel.
Hawkes Racing currently have an outstanding Exceed and Excel colt in the stable in Exceedance, winner of the Group I VRC Coolmore Stud Stakes, so their determination to purchase this colt is understandable.
“He was the colt of the sale,” said Wayne Hawkes in his post sale comments.
“Tom Magnier just came up to congratulate us.
“It was big money but he looks a ready made 2YO and we would expect to see him as a Magic Millions and Golden Slipper horse next year.
“This was actually the easy part, the hard part starts in a few months when he arrives at Rosehill.”
Platelet has a filly foal to follow by Merchant Navy and was covered by him again last spring.
Darley’s perennial champion sire Exceed and Excel is enjoying great results at this sale and this was his second million dollar colt at the Gold Coast this year.
