Montjeu to Magnier

Montjeu to Magnier… 
By Emma Berry and Kelsey Riley
Nearing the midway mark of session one, no horse had yet breached the 500,000gns barrier, but that changed when Lot 66, the first of six Book 1 offerings from the final crop of Montjeu (Ire), strolled into the ring. Bidding was fierce, with John Warren and Ibrahim Araci also in on the action, but in the end it was team Coolmore that prevailed for the handsome bay from Camas Park Stud for 575,000gns. 

Montjeu, who died in 2012 at the age of 16, has been pivotal in the success of Coolmore’s racing stable and stallion roster. His top sons to race for the operation including six-time Group 1 winner St Nicholas Abbey (Ire), Classic and G1 Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe victor Hurricane Run (Ire), triple Classic winner Camelot (GB) and Derby hero Pour Moi (Ire), and the latter two are both promising young sires at Coolmore. Pour Moi is represented by his first yearlings this year, while Camelot covered his first book earlier this year. 

“All we’re trying to do is find the next Camelot or Pour Moi, and I suppose at the end of the day, so is everyone else,” said M V Magnier, who signed the ticket while standing alongside his father, John Magnier. “The guys really liked him. He’s a very nice horse, very athletic,” Magnier added. 

Tim Hyde of Camas Park noted he was pleased with the price. 

“You never know what a horse is going to bring, but we’re very happy with the price,” he said. “He’s a homebred, and a beautiful colt. He has a lot of quality and is a wonderful mover, so I hope he’s a great racehorse.” 

Bred by Lynch Bages and Camas Park Stud, the February-foal is a three-quarter to the Group 3-placed Lord High Admiral (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}), and a half to two other stakes-placed winners. He goes back to a sire-producing family, as his third dam, Balidaress (GB) (Balidar {GB}), produced champion filly Park Appeal (GB), the dam of dual Group 1 winner and champion sire Cape Cross (Ire). 

Magnier made more waves late in the day when going to 550,000gns for lot 154, a Galileo (Ire) filly from Glenvale Stud. The May foal outdid her Group 3-placed full-brother Kingston Jamaica (Ire), who made 535,000gns here two years ago. She is also a full-sister to the stakes-placed Criteria (Ire). It is also the family of European champion filly and G1 Coronation S. winner Golden Opinion (Slew O’ Gold). Magnier also purchased a colt from the first crop of Coolmore sire Canford Cliffs (Ire) for 150,000gns.