Montjeu has been given the green light to try to end his European racing career with a final flourish of glory in Saturday’s Dubai Champion Stakes at Newmarket.
After the colt had worked satisfactorily at Chantilly on Tuesday his trainer John Hammond consulted owners Michael Tabor and John Magnier and they agreed to pitch Montjeu against Kalanisi, Greek Dance, Shiva and Indian Danehill in a mouth-watering end-of-season showdown.
Montjeu, who is as short as even money favourite, was a disappointing fourth behind Sinndar in the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe in Paris just under a fortnight ago. His earlier victory in the King George V1 and Queen Elizabeth Diamond Stakes at Ascot had put him up there among the best.
Hammond is clearly happy that his horse has retained his form, despite that shock Arc defeat. He reported that Montjeu did not produce his best form and had no gas in the tank at Longchamp.
Tabor has indicated that if Montjeu wins on Saturday he could run again in the Breeders’ Cup Turf at Churchill Downs on 4 November before retiring to stud at Coolmore in Ireland. He has said the trip to America is still a definite possibility.
With Montjeu heading for Newmarket, Giant’s Causeway, also owned by the Tabor-Magnier combine, has been re-routed to Southwell on Friday.
He will have a workout on the sand track in preparation for his race on the Churchill Downs dirt in the Breeders’ Cup Classic.
