Champion sire Exceed And Excel is set to remain in Australia on a permanent basis, as Darley announced that the reverse-shuttle stallion will not be returning to Europe.
The 20-year-old has sired 16 individual Group 1 winners and 170 stakes winners, and will now be standing in Australia permanently.
Managing Director of Godolphin and Darley Vin Cox has confirmed the news, indicating that it was time the 20-year-old enjoyed a less arduous travel schedule.
“He will continue covering in the Southern Hemisphere,” managing director Vin Cox.
“He’s now 20 years of age, so it’s now time for him to enjoy his hemisphere of origin.
“He is by far and away the most successful reverse-shuttle stallion of all time. Certainly, he is a foundation stallion of Darley/Godolphin in the Southern Hemisphere.
“To be performing as he has been in the last couple of seasons – with horses like Bivouac, Microphone, Exceedance and September Run … to name four Group 1 winners in the last two years – is quite astounding.
“It’s a credit to his longevity and popularity and his ability.”
What a remarkable win. Bivouac EXPLODES to win the G1 Darley Sprint Classic. 😮 @Godolphin pic.twitter.com/JbgwP2MUsN
— Racing.com (@Racing) November 7, 2020
“He is our most commercial horse, with good reason,” Cox said.
“But where he is really starting to get real credibility and due recognition is in the sale ring. You’ve seen the last few years where he’s had multiple horses make, like they say in America, two commas, or seven figures.
“Those two-comma horses are rare. You only get them when the market has that sort of regard for his progeny.”
