Exceed And Excel colt Outstrip defeated the top juveniles from around the world in the G1 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf (1600m) at Santa Anita on Friday.

Outstrip settled back in the field and, despite saving ground along the rails turning for home, was still spotting the leaders more than six lengths at the top of the straight.  Set alight by Mike Smith, the grey colt showed tremendous acceleration to run down Coolmore rep Giovanni Boldini (War Front).

“He’s not a bad little horse, is he?” trainer Charlie Appleby asked after winning his first Breeders’ Cup race with his first starter.  “It’s all very surreal.  I’m grateful to Godolphin for giving me the chance to train a horse like him.”

Appleby, a 15-year Godolphin employee, became a head trainer for Sheikh Mohammed’s powerhouse stable earlier this year when Mahmood Al Zarooni was ousted after a drug scandal.

Outstrip (2c Exceed And Excel – Asi Siempre by El Prado) was an impressive winner of the G2 Champagne Stakes at Doncaster in September and most recently finished third in the G1 Dewhurst Stakes at Newmarket.

A homebred for Darley, he is out of Asi Siempre who won the G1 Spinster Stakes at Keeneland.

Outstrip is the seventh worldwide Group 1 winner for his Exceed And Excel joining such esteemed runners as Helmet, Guelph, Overreach, Reward For Effort, Excelebration and Margot Did.

Australia’s reigning Champion stallion, Exceed And Excel is standing the current breeding season at Darley Kelvinside at a fee of $88,000 (inc gst).