Absolute Excellence in Guineas

Excellent Art three-year-old Absolut Excelencia took his third consecutive victory in the South Island on Saturday with victory in the $50,000 Listed Liquorland Gore Guineas (1335m).

The Kenny & Lisa Rae trained Absolut Excelencia (Excellent Art x Jarada) raced to a nose victory in the Guineas in a great ride from jockey Paul Taylor who kept his mount on the fence and pinched a gap on the rail at the top of the straight, taking the colt straight to the front.

Absolut Excelencia at NZB’s 2011 Ready to Run Sale of 2YOs

Absolut Excelencia had three starts as a two-year-old and was unplaced in each appearance but this season tells another story being unbeaten in three starts culminating in Saturday’s Guineas.

Raced by his trainers Kenny & Lisa Rae in conjunction with J Walker, P Murray, J Clark, D McHugh and G & S Wardrop, Absolut Excelencia is the seventh stakes winner for his sire Excellent Art who stands at Coolmore Australia. He is also the sire of the smart three-year-old Touch Win who is trained by Roger James.

Absolut Excelencia was bred by A & Mrs K Chrysiliou and was purchased by Ken Rae Stables from Curraghmore Stud at New Zealand Bloodstock’s 2011 Ready to Run Sale for $21,000. His three wins have already covered his Sale price with $41,000 in prizemoney in the bank.

Curraghmore Stud will offer 36 yearlings at Karaka 2013 including 25 in the Premier Sale. Some of the highlights in their draft include 10 of the 15 Fastnet Rock colts on offer at Karaka 2013 including:

• Lot 63, the Fastnet Rock half-brother to Group 1 winner Gathering and Group 3 winner Florentina from the family of Redoute’s Choice.
• Lot 129, the Fastnet Rock half-sister to Group 2 winner Book of Kells from the Group 1 winning mare Episode(Scenic).
• Lot 252, the half-brother to the HK-1 Champions & Chater Cup winner and Hong Kong’s Champion Stayer Liberator from the stakes winning mare Miss Helga (Alzao).