1 Oct 2022Our bonny mare Excelida provided us with a massive thrill at Flemington where her consistency and tenacity was rewarded with victory in the G2 Rose Of Kingston Stakes.
The regally related daughter of Exceed And Excel had previously placed no fewer than six times at black type level, including a runner-up finish in the G3 Hong Kong Jockey Club Stakes, before she broke through.
Skillfully managed by trainers Ben and JD Hayes, Excelida has now won six races and we dare to dream that she may add to her record with the G1 Empire Rose Stakes a possible carnival target.
“There’s a lot of options and we’ll see how she pulls up. She’s obviously in really good form and it’s definitely something we will look at,” Ben Hayes said.
“For her to win for Cambridge Stud and Brendan and Jo Lindsay and Henry Plumptre is such a great result.
“They have been very patient and allowed her to stay in training so it’s terrific for the stable.”
Excelida was quickly into stride to settle in a handy spot off the fence and the six-year-old came with an irresistible finish in the hands of Michael Dee.
“She jumped well and the favourite (Pride Of Jenni) missed it and it really opened up. It was a 10 out of 10 ride, just beautiful,” Hayes said.
“She got a cart into the race and Michael deserved it, he hadn’t won on her before but has placed so to get a Group 2 is a huge result.”
We purchased Excelida for A$460,000 out of breeder Trelawney Stud’s draft at the Inglis Australian Yearling Sale and she hails from one of their premier families.
She will be a highly valuable future addition to our broodmare band as she is a daughter of the Iffraaj mare Lady Sayyida, who is a half-sister to the multiple Group 1 winner and leading sire Ocean Park and to the dam of the dual Group 1 winner and young stallion Grunt.