Record-breaking victory in the Mill Reef for son of Exceed And Excel

James Garfield flies to G2 victory at Newbury to become the second juvenile Group winner of the week for his sire

Exceed And Excel added another smart two-year-old to his CV in record-breaking style on Saturday, 23 September when his talented son James Garfield swept home to land the G2 Mill Reef Stakes at Newbury.

Settled towards the rear of the field under Frankie Dettori, James Garfield clearly relished the drop back in trip to six furlongs as he flew past his rivals once asked for his effort and won by three-quarters of a length in a new two-year-old track record time.

This was the second win for George Scott’s charge, who was third to his paternal half-brother Sound And Silence in the Windsor Castle Stakes at Royal Ascot on just his second start. He was beaten just a nose by Wells Farhh Go (Farhh) in the G3 Acomb Stakes at York late last month.

James Garfield was bred by Stetchworth and Middle Park Studs and is out of the Daylami mare Whazzat, herself winner of the Chesham Stakes at two. She is from the family of Invincible Spirit. Whazzat has a 2017 colt by fellow Darley stallion Golden Horn.

Exceed And Excel has sired 16 Black Type winners so far this year, including G2 Lowther Stakes winner and G1 Cheveley Park contender Threading, plus the aforementioned Sound And Silence, winner of the G3 Prix Eclipse earlier this week.

Exceed And Excel stands at Kelvinside at a fee of $110,000 inc GST.