Fifth Stakes Win For Exceed And Excel's First Among Equals

Mark Smith - Sunday May 20

In five previous starts, First Among Equals looked to testing Darren Weir's remarkable record of improving his Western Australia recruits.

Back home in Perth the 6yo son of Exceed and Excel had won 11 of 28 starts including four Listed stakes races.

But Weir again rose to the occasion. With Michael Dee in the saddle, First Among Equals finished strongly to score by a length from Divine Quality (Sepoy) with Knowable (Hinchinbrook) a half-neck away third in Saturday's Straight Six (1200m) at Flemington. (photo Grant Courtney)


With Weir in Adelaide for Saturday's Goodwood meeting, Jarrod McLean was at Flemington to represent the stable.

"Just another great West Australian to join our stable," McLean enthused.

"The race mapped well for him and it was a good ride from Mick.

"Ridden in the second half of the field, chiming in late, that's usually best for him."

"Weiry will probably progress through this winter sprint series and end up here in the final in July," McLean said.

"He's a nice addition and we'll be looking to him in the spring but I certainly think we're training him a bit better this prep -he's a promising horse."

Sold to Cape Falls Thoroughbreds for $85,000 at the 2012 Magic Millions National Weanling Sale, First Among Equals advances his record to 12 4 4 from 34 starts with earnings of $751,630.

He is the best of five winners from six to race out of the Volksraad mare Pride Of The Class who was a Group III winner in New Zealand.

Pride Of The Class was sold for $60,000 at the 2017 Inglis Australian Easter Broodmare Sale when in foal to Deep Field but died five months later.

First Among Equals is one of 142 stakes-winners for Darley Stud's flagship stallion Exceed And Excel who will command a fee of $82,500 in 2018.

Advertisment
More Reading...
Racing Australia Invests In Study Into Early Detection Of Injury Risk
Racing Australia’s Research and Development Fund today announced in conjunction with the Equine Genetics Research Centre (EGRC) and Telemedvet, a combined investment of over $400,000 into a 12-month project to perform a cross-sectional study of a serum biomarker in the clinical investigation of equine musculoskeletal injuries.
Farnan Colt A Debut Winner - Slipper Crack Coming
High priced Farnan colt King Of Pop will be given his chance to get to the Golden Slipper after a debut win at Warwick Farm on Wednesday.
Entries Open For 2025 Inglis Weanling Sales Series
The 2025 Inglis Weanling Sales Series – the most lucrative weanling sales series in the Southern Hemisphere – is now open for entries.
Riccarton 2YO Winner for Maurice
Progressive juvenile Best Rose turned the tables on her key rival at Riccarton Park on Wednesday, scoring an impressive second-up victory in The Tea House At Riccarton Park 2YO (1000m).
Yulong Acquire Australian Guineas Favourite
Yulong have announced they have acquired ruling Australian Guineas favourite Angel Capital.
Sires With Winners - Tuesday February 18
Here is the full list of 28 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Bargain Hellbent Filly Heading For Black Type
Legendary trainer Les Bridge can make something special out of a horse and will likely tackle stakes grade with his up and coming bargain Hellbent filly Scintilla after making it three in a row on Wednesday.
G1 Progeny Among Early Entries For Inglis Weanling Sales Series
Amongst the highlights of the 2025 Inglis Weanling Sales Series is sure to be the draft of Dorrington Farm-bred weanlings – which will be offered in conjunction with Noorilim Park – at the Australian Weanling Sale on May 5-6.
Sydney 2YO Wednesday - High Prices and 1st Season Sires
The two year-old race at Warwick Farm on Wednesday is an interesting, and seemingly open, one which sees the second highest priced Farnan yearling of 2024 entered, along with the third highest priced I Am Invincible along with several other first season sire debutants.
Silver Slipper Looks Gold - 4 of Top 7 To Clash
The fields are out for Saturday’s Rosehill card and the Silver Slipper has produced a salivating line up where we’ll see the next run of boom Wootton Bassett colt Wodeton in a race which includes four of the top seven in the Golden Slipper market.