Back Yourself!
Sign-up and start betting with Ladbrokes in 2 minutes!
Back A Winner with Neds!
Sign-up and start betting with Neds in 2 minutes!
Daily Racing Specials!
Sign-up and bet with Australia's best new bookmaker!
#1 Ranked New Bookie
Sign-up and bet with Australia's #1 ranked new bookmaker!
Best Of The Best Odds!
Bet With Palmerbet and get Paid Top Fluc or Top Tote!
Massive Odds on All Races!
Sign-up and start betting with PlayUp in 2 minutes!
Imagine what you could be buying instead.
Set a deposit limit.
Search
 

Excelebration claimed the Group One which he had been threatening to for some time by driving through the mud in the Qatar Prix du Moulin at Longchamp.

It was the first of what will surely be many top-flight European successes for the young Italian trainer Marco Botti, who set up his burgeoning stable in Newmarket a few years ago.

Frankel has been the obstacle in Excelebration’s path to serial glory, finishing second to Sir Henry Cecil’s brute in the Greenham Stakes and third in the St James’s Palace, with Botti wisely opting for other challenges in the interim, bagging the German 2000 Guineas and Hungerford Stakes.

But the pair could meet yet again if connections agree to the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes on British Champions Day at Ascot in October.

Coolmore recently purchased part of the colt with Jamie Spencer taking charge of Excelebration in Paris instead of Adam Kirby, and he stuck close to Godolphin’s Rio De La Plata before launching his assault mid-way down the long home straight.

As much as Rio De La Plata tried to shrug off the inconvenience of the rain-softened surface, he finished a length and a half adrift.

“This horse and Gitano Hernando, who won my first Grade One in America, have been very special,” said Botti.

“I’m very pleased – it was a big concern when the ground went soft, but he has got away with it and has done it well.”

The new Irish connections will have a major say in Excelebration’s next target, with Botti continuing: “He has two options really – the Breeders’ Cup Mile or to go to Ascot. That’s up to the owners.

“Frankel has beaten us twice, although maybe things didn’t pan out for us at Royal Ascot. But wherever he goes he will have to face good horses.

“If he goes to Ascot, it will be Frankel, and if it is America, then Goldikova. But he has got to step up to the next level now.”

Rio De La Plata enjoyed a resurgence in his fortunes when sent abroad late last year and continues to knock on the door.

“We were very happy with the ground at lunchtime but then it rained,” rued trainer Saeed Bin Suroor.

“I think if it was better ground he would have been closer. We’ll find another race for him now.”

PA AAP TURF

 
*Existing customers only. 2nd Racing bet. Excl SA & WA. T’s & C’s apply. Gamble responsibly.
Imagine what you could be buying instead.
Set a deposit limit.
Featured News

FREE BETS – Claim $1000’s in Bonus Bets at the TOP Betting Sites

We take a look at the BIGGEST and BEST Free Daily Racing Offers and Betting Promotions from Australia’s leading online...

Golden Slipper Likely Field – 2024

The biggest two-year-old race of the year will jump this Saturday in arguably one of the best fields in recent...

Former trainer handed a five-year ban for pulling stewards pants down

Former trainer Todd Balfour has been handed a five-year disqualification by Racing SA stewards after a misconduct incident at the...

Melbourne Cup champion Verry Elleegant passes away

Verry Elleegant, one of the great mares in the history of Australian racing, has died while giving birth to her...

Watch 📺 Jockey banned from all racing premises over ride

Jockey Dylan Kitts has been penalised with a disciplinary officer exclusion directive due to non-compliance with an inquiry regarding his...

Group 1 winner returns positive swab

Racing Victoria stewards are investigating a positive swab from Group 1-winning mare Prowess, the racehorse trained by Roger James and...

Alligator Blood injured, career in doubt

Cult galloper Alligator Blood may have run his last race, with trainers Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott confirming the star galloper had...

Nikita Beriman returns to the saddle

July 1, 2023 to January 26, 2024 … that period represents the just shy of seven months that Nikita Beriman...

Australia's Best Betting Sites

New Betting Sites Australia + Top List Bookmaker Apps $$$

Betting in Australia has never been more popular thanks to a large increase in new betting Agencies and Apps available...

Top 10 – Funniest Race Horse Names

Horse racing. Known as the ‘Sport Of Kings’, an industry worth billions, a very serious business…but to some, it’s a...

Best Horse Betting Sites in Australia

Best Horse Racing Betting Apps and Betting Sites – March 2024

We take a look at the best online betting apps to bet on horse racing in Australia for the month...

Golden Slipper

The Golden Slipper is one of the biggest and most prestigious horse races in Australia. Taking place each April at...

Australian Bookmaker Reviews – Online Bookie Ratings $$

Which bookmaker should you bet with? We Review each of the leading online Australian Bookmakers and rate them in order...

 
 
Imagine what you could be buying instead.
For free and confidential support call 1800 858 858 or visit gamblinghelponline.org.au