Exceed And Excel looks to have a very exciting sprinter for 2020, following Sceptical’s hugely impressive win in the Listed Woodlands Stakes, run over five and a half furlongs at Naas on Monday, 8 June.
Denis Hogan’s charge was always prominent under jockey Joey Sheridan and once asked for his effort, simply skipped clear of his rivals to win by three lengths.
Sceptical is now unbeaten in four starts, having broken his maiden by three and a half lengths at Dundalk last November. He made two successful visits to the same course earlier this year, with his last victory a six-and-a-half-length demolition of the field in a five-furlong handicap. He will now be aimed at the G1 King's Stand Stakes at next week's Royal Ascot.
Sceptical is one of three winners out of the Queen Mary winner Jealous Again, also dam of Group performer Queen Of Sicily (Cape Cross).
Exceed And Excel is enjoying a superb year, despite the interrupted racing season in Europe. He has sired three G1 winners so far in 2020 in Mr Stunning, Bivouac and Queen Supreme. His G1 Sires’ Produce Stakes winner Microphone added a fourth Stakes win to his record in the G2 Autumn Stakes in February before retiring to stud.
Last week, he established a new world record when siring his 500th individual two-year-old winner.
