Champollion all class in Schweppervescene

Experiencing a tremendous run of success of late and in particular with his juvenile stock, two-year-old Exceed And Excel colt Champollion became the sixth Stakes winner for his age group this season in Australia for his sire with victory in the G3 The Schweppervescene (Baillieu Handicap) at Rosehill on 6 March.

Settling back in the field for jockey Christian Reith, the Peter Snowden-trained colt was only having his fourth career start and showed a level of maturity to come through the field to take the lead in the final few strides to defeat Ideal Guide by a short neck.

Getting through the wet conditions, Champollion is now likely to head towards the second and third legs of the Two-year-old Triple Crown, the G1 Sires’ Produce Stakes and the G1 Champagne Stakes in the coming weeks.

The Schweppervescene is a very good pointer to future success, with previous winners who have gone on to G1 glory in recent years inclduing Darley’s first-season sire Skilled (Commands), Onemorenomore, Mentality and Paratroopers.

Bred by Darley, Champollion is the first Stakes winner for the G2-winning Octagonal mare Hierogram and is bred on a similar cross to G2 winners Altar and Rain Affair as well as the G3 winners Flying Tristram and Albrecht.

As the sire of 68 Stakes winners internationally including G1 winners Reward For Effort, Excelebration, Margot Did and Darley’s three-time G1- winning stallion Helmet, Exceed And Excel is standing at Dalham Hall Stud at a fee of £35,000 October 1st SLF, while Helmet stands at Kildangan Stud at a fee of €10,000.