What a weekend for Montjeu!
6th June 2007
It is two years since Montjeu enjoyed a 1-2 in the G1 Vodafone Derby from his very first crop and the son of Sadler's Wells once again stole the show at Epsom last weekend when his son Authorized (3c Montjeu Funsie by Saumarez) was a simply outstanding winner of the world's most famous Classic.
For good measure, Scorpion (5h Montjeu-Ardmelody by Law Society) landed Friday's G1 Coronation Cup at Epsom when leading home a 1-2-3 for Coolmore stallions.
Authorized crowned himself a true champion after running out a hugely impressive winner of the premier Classic, coming home five lengths clear of the Rock Of Gibraltar colt Eagle Mountain (3c Rock Of Gibraltar-Masskana by Darshaan).
Frankie Dettori kicked for home in the final two furlongs of the Derby and his mount responded in electric fashion as he galloped away to a famous Classic victory.
Authorized, trained by Peter Chapple-Hyam for owners Saleh Al Homaizi and Imad Al Sagar, was bred in partnership by Montjeu's former jockey Mick Kinane and realised 95,000gns as a foal and 400,000gns as a yearling.
Dettori, finally winning the Derby after 14 unsuccessful attempts, said: "The horse was very relaxed and has such a tremendous turn of foot."
Authorized also won the G1 Racing Post Trophy as a two-year-old and Chapple-Hyam said: "I always knew Authorized was a very good horse from day one and he has never let me down. He is not a typical mile and a half horse but he gets the trip through his sheer class. He travels and has a serious turn of foot and I am very lucky to have him."
Writing in The Sunday Times, Hugh McIlvanney noted: "Everybody knew Authorized, a powerful son of Montjeu, a sire who is already moving rapidly towards the status of legend, was the partner Dettori had been yearning for as he battled to end his Derby drought.... Once the contest was on in earnest in the home straight it was almost instantly obvious that Authorized had his rivals at his mercy and when Dettori let him know the conclusive surge was required the big colt ensured in a few strides that nothing would be near him at the line."
Authorized is likely to next contest either the G1 Eclipse Stakes at Sandown or for the G1 Irish Derby.
Meanwhile, runner-up Eagle Mountain (Rock of Gibraltar), bred by James Wigan's London Thoroughbred Services, is likely to head to the G1 Irish Derby.
"He ran a fantastic race. He was probably a bit further back than we would have liked but the winner is a very good horse, and, wherever we were, I don't think we would have beaten him. We were absolutely delighted with that, though, and we can look forward to some big-race wins with him now. I imagine we'll go for the Irish Derby next," joint-owner Derrick Smith told the Racing Post.
