[published Bluebloods July/August 2021]
Already eleven sons of Exceed And Excel have proven their worth siring stakes winners, auguring well for Darley’s Bivouac who, with this three Group One victories, is one of the best of the breed.
A dual stakes winner from five starts at two, the handsome bay displayed versatility taking out the Kindergarten Stakes-Gr.3, 1100m and the Lonhro Plate-Listed, 1100m on differing surfaces at different tracks.
Bolder and stronger next time around, Bivouac kicked off his three-year-old season with a dominant victory in the Vain Stakes-Gr.3, 1100m at Caulfield. A Group Three second back in Sydney ensued, followed by wins in the Run To The Rose-Gr.2, 1200m and the Golden Rose-Gr.1, 1400m in which he showed good heart holding off challenges from Yes Yes Yes and Exceedance.
Racing mainly at the elite level from thereon, Bivouac enhanced his impressive record by easily winning the Newmarket Handicap-Gr.1, 1200m, reaffirming his liking for the Flemington straight with success in the Sprint Classic-Gr.1, 1200m in which he put a space on Nature Strip.
Retiring to stud as the winner of seven races and over $5.6 million (a second to Classique Legend in The Everest part of his big tally), Bivouac is one of 184 stakes winners sired by Exceed And Excel who has maintained excellent statistics (70.4% winners-to-runners, 8.3% stakes winners) throughout a lengthy career.
Boasting crosses of the outstanding mares Natalma, Almahmoud and Glamour, Bivouac is a brother to the dual stakes winner Coruscate out of the Flemington winning More Than Ready mare Dazzler whose dam is Danehill’s AJC Sires Produce Stakes-Gr.1, 1400m winner Camarilla.
What a wonderful family this is, Bivouac able to boast amongst his relations Camarena (his Queensland Derby-Gr.1, 2400m winning third dam), Canny Lad (high class sire of 55 stakes winners), Canny Lass, Sepoy and Guelph.
