The victim of a barrier mishap last start that prevented the son of Exceed And Excel from participating in the G2 VRC Sires Produce Stakes, Helmet displayed impeccable manners this time. Ridden by Kerrin McEvoy, he jumped cleanly and showed a brilliant turn of foot to defeat the previously unbeaten Uate by half-a-length.
Bred by Darley Australia, he is the second foal out of the Singspiel mare Accessories, the first being the Elusive Quality colt Bullbars, a G3 winner this season and a close second in the G1 Australian Guineas.
Helmet becomes the fourth two-year-old Stakes winner for Exceed And Excel in the current Southern Hemisphere season, a figure no other stallion can emulate. From his Northern Hemisphere crops he has sire 13 Stakes winners including three already in 2011, headed by the impressive G3 Winter Derby scorer Nideeb. He stands this season at Dalham Hall Stud for £12,000.
