Exceller (USA)
May 12, 1973 – April 7, 1997
Vaguely Noble (IRE) x Too Bald (USA), by Bald Eagle (USA)
Family 21-a
May 12, 1973 – April 7, 1997
Vaguely Noble (IRE) x Too Bald (USA), by Bald Eagle (USA)
Family 21-a
The leading North American money earner of 1978 and winner of six Grade 1 races that year, Exceller did everything except win a championship. While he was the beneficiary of a suicidal speed duel between Seattle Slew, Affirmed and Life's Magic in the 1978 Jockey Club Gold Cup, the fact remains that he made up 22 lengths to defeat Seattle Slew by a nose, making him the only horse to defeat two American Triple Crown winners in the same race. In a remarkable international career, Exceller won a total of 11 Grade or Group 1 events in Canada, England, France and the United States and was a Classic winner in France. He was much less distinguished at stud and met an ignominious end in a Swedish slaughterhouse. The news of his sad fate provoked a public outcry that led to the foundation of the Exceller Fund, which provides money to rescue Thoroughbreds at risk for slaughter.
Race record
33 starts, 15 wins, 5 seconds, 6 thirds, US$1,674,587 (including converted foreign earnings)
1975:
1976:
1977:
1978:
1979:
Honors
National Museum of Racing Hall of Fame (inducted in 1994)
Assessments
Exceller was rated #96 among the top 100 American racehorses of the 20th century by a panel of experts assembled by The Blood-Horse (Thoroughbred Champions, Eclipse Press, 7th printing, 2005).
Rated at 125 pounds on the Daily Racing Form's Free Handicap for American turf runners of 1977, 1 pound below highweighted Majestic Light but 2 pounds above American champion turf horse Johnny D. (a 3-year-old).
Highweighted at 137 pounds on the Daily Racing Form's Free Handicap for American turf runners of 1978, 1 pound above second-rated Tiller and 4 pounds above the official divisional champion, Mac Diarmida (a 3-year-old).
Rated at 126 pounds on the Daily Racing Form's Free Handicap for American turf runners of 1979, 4 pounds below champion Bowl Game.
Earned a maximum Timeform rating of 129 pounds while racing in Europe.
As an individual
Exceller stood 16 hands. A handsome, racy-looking horse, he had long cannons and long, upright pasterns. He was slightly taller than he was long and had a high action but was capable of acting on any surface, though he was at his best on firm going. Like most European-trained horses, Exceller ran best when covered up early and usually won his races with a blistering turn of foot in the final quarter. According to his French trainer, Maurice Zilber, he had a terrible walk and was "always lame in the mornings."
As a stallion
According to The Jockey Club, Exceller sired 202 winners (51.7%) and 15 stakes winners (3.8%) from 391 named foals. He was used for breeding warmbloods as well as Thoroughbred mares in Sweden.
Notable progeny
Slew's Exceller (USA)
Connections
Exceller was bred in Kentucky by Mrs. Charles Engelhard. He was owned by Nelson Bunker Hunt, who purchased Exceller for US$25,000 at the 1974 Keeneland July yearling sale. Hunt later sold an interest in Exceller to Dr. Herbert Schnapka's Belair Stud following the horse's 5-year-old season. Exceller was trained by François Mathet and later by Maurice Zilber in Europe and North America at ages 2 through 4 and by Charlie Whittingham in North America at ages 5 and 6. Exceller entered stud in 1980 at Gainesway Farm in Kentucky as the property of a syndicate. In 1991, Exceller was exported to Sweden. He was sent to a slaughterhouse in April 1997 after his Swedish owner, Göte Östlund, found himself unable to pay for the stallion's upkeep. As a result of the public outcry that followed, the Exceller Fund was established to provide money for rescuing Thoroughbreds at risk of slaughter.
Pedigree notes
Exceller is inbred 3x4x5 to Nearco. Produced from 1986 Kentucky Broodmare of the Year Too Bald, he is a full brother to Grade 3 winner Vaguely Hidden and a half brother to American champion 2-year-old male Capote (by Seattle Slew) and stakes winners Baldski (by Nijinsky II) and American Standard (by In Reality). He is also a half brother to Bald Facts (by In Reality), dam of Grade 3 winner General Royal (by A.P. Indy) and multiple stakes winner Fortunate Facts (by Sir Ivor), and to My Song for You (by Seattle Song), dam of Grade 3 winner Minister's Melody (by Deputy Minister) and second dam of 2006 Wood Memorial Stakes (USA-G1) winner Bob and John.
Too Bald is a stakes-winning half sister to stakes winner Turn to Talent (by Turn-to), whose stakes-winning daughter Hay Patcher (by Hoist the Flag) produced multiple Grade 1 winner and 2004 American leading sire Broad Brush (by Ack Ack) and is the second dam of English Group 2 winner Mull of Kintyre. Through another daughter, Winter Sparkle (by Northjet), Turn to Talent is also the second dam of Grade 2 winner Williamstown.
The next dam in Exceller's tail-female line, Hidden Talent (by Dark Star), won a division of the 1959 Kentucky Oaks and is a full sister to 1959 Matron Stakes winner Heavenly Body, dam of French Group 3 winner A Thousand Stars (by Hoist the Flag) and second dam of English Group 2 winners Made of Gold, Thawakib and Celestial Storm, multiple French Group 3 winner Snow Day and Grade 3 winner Henschel. Hidden Talent is also a full sister to Dangerous Star, dam of multiple stakes winner Allegria de Deanna (by A Gambler) and stakes winner Perilous Star (by Top Avenger) and second dam of multiple Grade 1 winner Lady Tak. In addition, Hidden Talent is a half sister to His Lady Fair (by Tom Fool), dam of 1984 Demoiselle Stakes (USA-G1) winner Diplomette (by Sr. Diplomat), and to Lost Love (by Dedicate), dam of Mexican stakes winner Esplendoroso (by Assagai).
Fun facts
Last updated: June 10, 2024
Race record
33 starts, 15 wins, 5 seconds, 6 thirds, US$1,674,587 (including converted foreign earnings)
1975:
- 3rd Prix de Conde (FR-G3, 2000mT, Longchamp)
- 3rd Prix Herod (FR-L, 1600mT, Evry)
1976:
- Won Prix Royal-Oak (FR-G1, 3100mT, Longchamp)
- Won Grand Prix de Paris (FR-G1, 3100mT, Longchamp)
- Won Prix du Lys (FR-G3, 2400mT, Chantilly)
- Won Prix Matchem (FR-L, 2000mT, Evry)
1977:
- Won Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud (FR-G1, 2500mT, Saint-Cloud)
- Won Coronation Cup (ENG-G1, 12FT, Epsom)
- Won Canadian International (CAN-G1, 13FT, Woodbine)
- 2nd Prix Ganay (FR-G1, 2100mT, Longchamp)
- 2nd Man o' War Stakes (USA-G1, 12FT, Belmont)
- 3rd King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Diamond Stakes (ENG-G1, 12FT, Ascot)
- 3rd Washington, D.C., International Stakes (USA-G1, 12FT, Laurel)
1978:
- Won San Juan Capistrano Invitational Handicap (USA-G1, about 14FT, Santa Anita)
- Won Hollywood Gold Cup Handicap (USA-G1, 10FD, Hollywood)
- Won Hollywood Invitational Handicap (USA-G1, 12FT, Hollywood)
- Won Sunset Handicap (USA-G1, 12FT, Hollywood)
- Won Jockey Club Gold Cup (USA-G1, 12FD, Belmont)
- Won Oak Tree Invitational Stakes (USA-G1, 12FT, Santa Anita)
- Won Arcadia Handicap (USA-G3, 10FD, Santa Anita)
- 2nd Woodward Stakes (USA-G1, 10FD, Belmont)
1979:
- 2nd San Juan Capistrano Invitational Handicap (USA-G1, about 14FT, Santa Anita)
- 3rd Century Handicap (USA-G1, 11FT, Hollywood)
- 3rd Santa Anita Handicap (USA-G1, 10FD, Santa Anita)
Honors
National Museum of Racing Hall of Fame (inducted in 1994)
Assessments
Exceller was rated #96 among the top 100 American racehorses of the 20th century by a panel of experts assembled by The Blood-Horse (Thoroughbred Champions, Eclipse Press, 7th printing, 2005).
Rated at 125 pounds on the Daily Racing Form's Free Handicap for American turf runners of 1977, 1 pound below highweighted Majestic Light but 2 pounds above American champion turf horse Johnny D. (a 3-year-old).
Highweighted at 137 pounds on the Daily Racing Form's Free Handicap for American turf runners of 1978, 1 pound above second-rated Tiller and 4 pounds above the official divisional champion, Mac Diarmida (a 3-year-old).
Rated at 126 pounds on the Daily Racing Form's Free Handicap for American turf runners of 1979, 4 pounds below champion Bowl Game.
Earned a maximum Timeform rating of 129 pounds while racing in Europe.
As an individual
Exceller stood 16 hands. A handsome, racy-looking horse, he had long cannons and long, upright pasterns. He was slightly taller than he was long and had a high action but was capable of acting on any surface, though he was at his best on firm going. Like most European-trained horses, Exceller ran best when covered up early and usually won his races with a blistering turn of foot in the final quarter. According to his French trainer, Maurice Zilber, he had a terrible walk and was "always lame in the mornings."
As a stallion
According to The Jockey Club, Exceller sired 202 winners (51.7%) and 15 stakes winners (3.8%) from 391 named foals. He was used for breeding warmbloods as well as Thoroughbred mares in Sweden.
Notable progeny
Slew's Exceller (USA)
Connections
Exceller was bred in Kentucky by Mrs. Charles Engelhard. He was owned by Nelson Bunker Hunt, who purchased Exceller for US$25,000 at the 1974 Keeneland July yearling sale. Hunt later sold an interest in Exceller to Dr. Herbert Schnapka's Belair Stud following the horse's 5-year-old season. Exceller was trained by François Mathet and later by Maurice Zilber in Europe and North America at ages 2 through 4 and by Charlie Whittingham in North America at ages 5 and 6. Exceller entered stud in 1980 at Gainesway Farm in Kentucky as the property of a syndicate. In 1991, Exceller was exported to Sweden. He was sent to a slaughterhouse in April 1997 after his Swedish owner, Göte Östlund, found himself unable to pay for the stallion's upkeep. As a result of the public outcry that followed, the Exceller Fund was established to provide money for rescuing Thoroughbreds at risk of slaughter.
Pedigree notes
Exceller is inbred 3x4x5 to Nearco. Produced from 1986 Kentucky Broodmare of the Year Too Bald, he is a full brother to Grade 3 winner Vaguely Hidden and a half brother to American champion 2-year-old male Capote (by Seattle Slew) and stakes winners Baldski (by Nijinsky II) and American Standard (by In Reality). He is also a half brother to Bald Facts (by In Reality), dam of Grade 3 winner General Royal (by A.P. Indy) and multiple stakes winner Fortunate Facts (by Sir Ivor), and to My Song for You (by Seattle Song), dam of Grade 3 winner Minister's Melody (by Deputy Minister) and second dam of 2006 Wood Memorial Stakes (USA-G1) winner Bob and John.
Too Bald is a stakes-winning half sister to stakes winner Turn to Talent (by Turn-to), whose stakes-winning daughter Hay Patcher (by Hoist the Flag) produced multiple Grade 1 winner and 2004 American leading sire Broad Brush (by Ack Ack) and is the second dam of English Group 2 winner Mull of Kintyre. Through another daughter, Winter Sparkle (by Northjet), Turn to Talent is also the second dam of Grade 2 winner Williamstown.
The next dam in Exceller's tail-female line, Hidden Talent (by Dark Star), won a division of the 1959 Kentucky Oaks and is a full sister to 1959 Matron Stakes winner Heavenly Body, dam of French Group 3 winner A Thousand Stars (by Hoist the Flag) and second dam of English Group 2 winners Made of Gold, Thawakib and Celestial Storm, multiple French Group 3 winner Snow Day and Grade 3 winner Henschel. Hidden Talent is also a full sister to Dangerous Star, dam of multiple stakes winner Allegria de Deanna (by A Gambler) and stakes winner Perilous Star (by Top Avenger) and second dam of multiple Grade 1 winner Lady Tak. In addition, Hidden Talent is a half sister to His Lady Fair (by Tom Fool), dam of 1984 Demoiselle Stakes (USA-G1) winner Diplomette (by Sr. Diplomat), and to Lost Love (by Dedicate), dam of Mexican stakes winner Esplendoroso (by Assagai).
Fun facts
- Exceller's tragic death and its aftermath rated at #64 in Horse Racing's Top 100 Moments, a review of racing in the 20th century compiled by The Blood-Horse and released in 2006.
- In 2008, tracks across the United States held an “Exceller Day” to raise awareness and money for the Exceller Fund. Fund-raising efforts included sales of a cocktail named in the horse's honor.
Last updated: June 10, 2024