Aidan O’Brien Acquires German Galloper Excelebration

Excelebration is the next in a long line of high profile gallopers to join the stables of Coolmore Stud trainer Aidan O’Brien in Ireland.

Blanford Bloodstock purchased the controlling share in Excelebration on behalf of Coolmore owners Michael Tabor, Derrick Smith and John Magnier after his Group 2 Hingerford Stakes win in August.

“(Current trainer) Marco Botti has done a truly magnificent job with Excelebration but he will be heading over to Ballydoyle just before Christmas,” Blandford Bloodstock’s Tom Goff said.

“It was always the understanding when the horse was purchased that he could be a flag-bearer for Ballydoyle in the four-year-old mile division next year, so let’s hope that wish can come true.”

Since being purchased by Coolmore, the three-year-old colt has won the Group 1 Prix du Moulin in France and finished second in the Group 1 Queen Elizabeth II Stakes at Ascot.

Excelebration had next been aimed at the Hong Kong Mile at Sha Tin next month, however, an infection has put an end to his campaign.

“It’s a real shame as Excelebration was in superb form,” Goff said.

“Everyone was really looking forward to Hong Kong and hopefully finishing a great year on a real high.

“Unfortunately, a dirty scope has revealed a slight infection and with a long flight in the offing plus not much time before the race, all the connections have agreed that it was in the horse’s best interests to give Hong Kong a miss and wait for next season.”

Excelebration has won three of his seven career starts and has earned close to £530,000 in prize money.

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