No Excuse Needed’s Pedigree Primed for Smart Update

Waikato’s G1 sire No Excuse Needed’s pedigree could well be in store for some sweet updates this season, should his US 3YO half-brother Higher Court (Sharmardal) continue to play his part.

The smart Darley bred and raced colt created a big impression on debut at Keenland in April, winning by some 6 six lengths.

At start two, he defeated all bar the record breaker Gantry at Belmont and on Saturday, he added another tick to his three start resume with a smart front running effort that left the nearest of his Saratoga rivals 2 ¾ lengths in his wake.

Higher Court’s 1100m turf outing time of 1:01.21 provided plenty of encouragement for trainer Thomas Albertrani.

“He turned up again with another super performance,” Albertrani told www.horseracing.com.

“I think he got a 96 Beyer (Speed Figure). I haven’t made any decisions, and I’d be curious to try him on the dirt.”

Albertrani said he would be patient with Higher Court ’s development, probably looking for an overnight turf sprint stakes later.

“He looks like he’s a very talented horse,” Albertrani said.

Prior to taking up stud duties, No Excuse Needed was a top class racehorse who followed 2YO G3 success with wins at 3 & 4 in the now G1 Royal Ascot Queen Anne Stakes & G2 Goodwood Celebration Mile and was twice G1 placed.

Recent News
9 March 2026

G2 Adelaide Cup Success For Tivaci’s American Wolf

In what was an exciting 3200m contest, Tivaci’s American Wolf took out Monday’s G2 Adelaide Cup at Morphettville in thrilling fashion, with Hurry Curry (Ocean Park) sporting the WS silks finishing in third off the …

Read More
9 March 2026

Third Listed Success For Ocean Park’s Arcadia Park

Recording his third individual Listed victory, the Bob Peters’ bred Arcadia Park was coming into the Listed Bunbury Cup (2000m) off the back of a handy third in the Listed Detonator Stakes where he finished …

Read More