Montjeu Colt Shows Promise

6th September 2008

Classy colt Lord Tavistock (3c Montjeu x Upstage, by Quest for Fame) stamped himself as a prospect for the major spring races with a stylish win in the $100,000 VRC Henry Bucks Quality open handicap for three year-olds over 1400 metres at Flemington on Saturday.

Second in the Listed MRC Vain Stakes when resuming from a spell, the Mick Price trained Lord Tavistock was sent out favourite for this event and never looked in danger of defeat as he coasted home to win by half a length from stakes-winning filly Romneya.

An $85,000 purchase from the Bloomsbury Stud draft at the NZB Select Yearling Sale, Lord Tavistock is the third foal of Quest for Fame mare Upstage, whose dam is a half-sister to Group One winner Jupiter Island.

His dam Upstage (GB) was sold as part of the Bloomsbury Stud Dispersal earlier in the year fetching just $23,000 to the bid of Michael Otto Bloodstock, and could well have been a very astute pick-up.

Lord Tavistock is by one of Europe’s finest stallions in Montjeu, who is the sire of 51 stakes-winners, 10 of them Group One winners.

Montjeu shuttled to Windsor Park Stud in New Zealand for four seasons but is now permanently based in Ireland where he commands a fee of 125,000 euros.