Exceed And Excel’s Mawj battles to 1,000 Guineas success for Godolphin

Listen

Mawj handed her Darley Australia stalwart sire Exceed And Excel (Danehill) a first English Classic winner after she battled to victory to claim yesterday’s 1,000 Guineas (Gr 1, 1m) at Newmarket. 

Trained by Saeed bin Suroor, the Godolphin-owned filly prevailed in an engrossing tussle with the 6-4 favourite Tahiyra (Siyouni), as she refused to be headed by her Aga Khan-owned rival, despite significant pressure from more than a furlong from home. 

The duo pulled dominantly clear of the rest of the field, with Matilda Picotte (Sioux Nation) finishing more than seven lengths from the winner in third.

The winner of the Duchess of Cambridge Stakes (Gr 2, 6f) as a juvenile, Mawj was campaigned in Dubai in January and February, earning two victories at Meydan, latterly when pulling eight and a half lengths clear to win the Jumeira Fillies Guineas (1600m). 

Long-time Godolphin trainer Bin Suroor won what was his third 1,000 Guineas, more than 20 years after his last in 2002, while for rider Oisin Murphy it was his first success in the Classic. 

“She’s a tough filly. She’s a nice filly over this trip. The Irish 1,000 Guineas could be an option,” Bin Suroor said. 

“It’s great to come and win the Guineas, it’s a good result for us.”

Murphy, who returned from a 14-month ban for alcohol and Covid breaches in February, said: “She’s a champion. Thanks very much to Saeed and His Highness Sheikh Mohammed for giving me the opportunity. These Group 1s are what it’s all about.”

Mawj (3 f Exceed And Excel – Modern Ideals by New Approach), a half-brother to four-time elite-level winner Modern Games (Dubawi), as well as Listed winner Modern News (Shamardal), is the fifth foal out of New Approach (Galileo) mare Modern Ideals, herself a half-sister to Group 1 winner Ultra (Manduro) and Group 3 scorer Synopsis (In The Wings). 

The finish was a thrilling contest between two regally bred fillies, with runner-up Tahirya a half-sister to three-time elite-level winner Tarnawa (Shamardal) being a daughter of dual Listed winner Tarana (Cape Cross).