Excelebration managed finding a ‘Frankel’ at the Breeders’ Cup Mile at Santa Anita
The expectations came crashing down for the trainer, Aidan O’Brien and the connections, as the four-year-old bay colt, Excelebration, ended fourth in the Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Mile at Santa Anita over a mile.
As was announced by the connections that the trip to North America will serve as the last and final race for the colt, he retired beaten instead of striking a hat-trick that was not the hardest nut to crack, as Excelebration was already entered as the favourite
of the race.
In an American race, with the field dominated by American rivals, being sent off as a favourite was no small deal, but even several thousand miles away from home land, the winner of the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes, managed finding one better horse than himself.
Five out of his fifteen career attempts culminated into losing against the top miler and thoroughbred of the world, the mighty Frankel. Exceed And Excel’s colt had his last two seasons, 2011 and 2012 overshadowed by the Galileo’s colt, Frankel. Right after
his retirement, the Owenstown Stud bred struck a back-to-back.
The connections were highly positive and confident about the winning form of their under charge. The hall mark trainer, Aidan O’Brien, has not restricted his winning domain just within the British and French boundaries, he sends one of his best trained horses
to the Breeders’ Cup each year.
However, the team that he selected for 2012 was by far the best. Previously he has had victors like High Chaparral and Johannesburg, and also failures like Giant’s Causeway.
Camelot’s trainer had sent Fame And Glory, St Nicholas Abbey and Starspangledbanner for the Breeders’ Cup World Championships this year, but the strongest in the team was, Excelebration. His form had super seeded that of Giant’s Causeway, George Washington
and High Chaparral.
"He seems in good form, but it's only two weeks since he ran at Ascot in very soft ground," O'Brien said. "It was always the plan that he would come here, and we're looking forward to seeing him run. A fast-run race won't be a problem, speed is his forte
and he's a great traveller who quickens really well. We originally thought he might get beyond a mile, but the more we did with him, the quicker he got.”
Despite such strong conviction and confidence of the connections, Excelebration found a ‘Frankel’ in the line-up in the form of, Wise Dan.
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