Magic Millions Day 2 – Ultra impressive colt from Miss Andretti

Lee Freedman will be reacquainted with one of his favourite families after buying the Exceed And Excel – Miss Andretti colt at the Magic Millions on Thursday.

The colt cost $460,000 from Toolooganvale Farm as agent.  “I had seen him many times and he continued to improve,” Freedman said.  “I was very keen to get the first foal of a great race mare.”

Miss Andretti (Ihtiram) commenced her career in Perth before transferring to Melbourne where she won five Group 1 sprints.  She sealed the 2007 Australian Horse of the Year crown with a Royal Ascot victory in the King’s Stand Stakes.

Her chestnut colt paraded perfectly but the road to the Gold Coast wasn’t straightforward.  He was two weeks late foaling and presented the wrong way but both mare and foal recovered quickly.

Ultra Tune owner Sean Buckley bought a majority share in Miss Andretti from WA owner-breeder David Mueller in March 2006.  Unfortunately, a rift split the partnership after the mare was retired and it’s likely Buckley will race her first colt outright.