Montjeu as a sire of fillies.

Years ago breeders questioned Montjeu's ability to get a Group 1 class filly. While this champion Group 1 winner was siring plenty of high class colts, his inability to produce a top class filly led some breeders to worry. 

When Montjeu's first crop arrived on the scene he was awarded with derby winners Motivator & Hurricane Run. While other first crop sons included Walk In The Park second in the Group 1 Epsom Derby & Scrorpion winner of the Group 1 Grand Prix De Paris. 

Montjeu's best daughter that year was undoubtedly Dash To The Top. She won her 2yo maiden at the second time of asking & on just her third ever career start was beaten just over a length by Playful Act in the Group 1 Meon Valley Stud Fillies' Mile. Dash To The Top won her 3yo stakes debut before being a well beaten favourite in the Group 1 Irish Oaks. Her best performance at Group 1 level was when she was only beaten 1/2L in the Yorkshire Oaks. She was then retired after refusing to race in the Group 2 Prix De Royallieu Barriere. 

Two other first crop daughters of Montjeu were runaway Zetland stakes winner Ayam Zamen & the multiple LR & Group 2 winner Montare. Ayam Zamen was fatally injured in her Group 1 debut while Montare broke her Group 1 duck in the Prix Royal Oak. 

In the crops that followed, Montjeu had only one filly Montare, rated above 110+, he had sixteen horses in total rated above 110+ In the flat year of 2007. 

The next year didn't prove much better for Montjeu's daughters. His top rated daughter that year was Group 2 winner Albisola, she had proved dissapointingly in Group 1 level. She was rated 116+ that year while the seventeen other horses by Montjeu rated above 110+ were colts including Irish derby winner Frozen Fire & Grand Prix De Paris winner Montmartre who had a rating of 126+. 

The next few seasons brought top class colts Fame And Glory  & the ill-fated Saint Nicholas Abbey on the scene. Both were multiple Group 1 winners between them. 

Montjeu's Group 1 drought with his fillies finally ended in 2011 when he scored a Grade 1 double in America courtesy of Miss Keller (EP Taylor Stakes) & Sarah Lynx (Canadian International), Clowance was also narrowly beaten by her paternal 1/2 brother Saint Nicholas Abbey in the Coronation Cup. She had also been second to Alandi in the Irish St Leger. The year 2012 would prove to be a memorable one for Montjeu when his son Camelot scored in the 2000guineas and Derby double to remain unbeaten. He lost his unbeaten run when only beaten 3/4 of a Length by Encke in the St Leger, narrowly missing out on the Triple Crown. 

It would be two years till a daughter of Montjeu won a Group 1 when Chicquita ran out an impressive winner of the Irish Oaks, she later sold for €6,000,000 to Coolmore at that years Goffs Breeding stock sale. Montjeu has again made headlines this year siring the winner of the Ascot Gold cup in Leading Light & pulling off a rare fillies classic double when his regally bred daughter Bracelet ran out a game winner of the Irish Oaks today. 

While Montjeu had to wait a long time to get a Group 1 winning filly, his daughters have been quick to get him started as a broodmare sire. Daughters of Montjeu have produced Group 1 winners Obviously (Choisir), Charm Spirit (Invinvible Spirit), NZ Group 1 winner Lucia Valentina ( Savabeel) & Parish Hall (Teofilo). Group winners out of Montjeu's daughters include Australian Group winners Faciascura (Oratorio), Moozoon (Perfectly Ready), Malandrino (Darci Brahma) & French Group 2 winner Restiadargent ( Kendargent). 

Montjeu seems to have a clear liking for Green Desert mares which have produced Group 1 winners Charm Spirit & Bracelet. Montjeu's last crop which numbers 31 are yearlings this year. It would be something special if he can provide another memorable year for himself. He is a truly missed sire. 

Urban Sea "The Legacy of one of Racing Histories best ever broodmares"

When Urban Sea retired at the end of the flat season in 1994, no one could have foreseen the impact this mare would have on the European breeding industry. Urban Sea had a lot going for her when she did retire to stud. She proved herself an outstanding race mare when she captured the Group 1 Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe, defeating fourteen Group 1 winners in the Autumn of 1993. Urban Sea was also placed in the Prince Of Wales stakes. She returned as a five-year-old being placed in the Group 1 Prix Ganey & Coronation cups, before her career was curtailed by an injury to her fetlock.

Urban Sea not only was an outstanding racemare, she also possessed an outstanding pedigree. Her dam was  Group 3 winner Allegretta. Urban Sea is a 1/2 sister to Group 1 2000G winner Kings Best, later a Group 1 sire and the Group 3 winner Alez les Trois, herself dam of Group 1 French derby winner Anabaa Blue. Alez les Trois is also the grand dam of Group 1 miler Tamayuz, who is currently standing at Shadwell's Derrinstown stud. Urban Sea's other 1/2 sisters include the stakes placed Turbaine, dam of Group 3 winners Tertullian and Terek. Another of Urban Sea's 1/2 sisters Anzille, is the dam of German Group 1 winner Anzillero.

Their dam Allegretta was from a very successful stakes winning family. Her full siblings include German Group 2 winner Alya, champion German 3yo colt Anno, who was a dual Group 2 winner and the Listed winner Arionnette, later dam of Listed winner Andronikus. While her 1/2 siblings include multiple Group winner and Group 1 placed colt Anatas. The next dam was the stakes winning Anatevka, a sister to stakes winners Antuco & Algarve.

Urban Sea's produce record is as follows:

Name:  Urban Ocean (Bering) 

YOB:  1996:  

Race Record: Gallinule stks Group 3, Mooresbridge stks LR

Stud Record:  sire of a handful of 80+ rated horses, now a jumps sire at Kilbarry Lodge stud (IRE)

Name:   Melikah (Lammtarra)

YOB:  1997

Race Record:  LR Pretty Polly stakes, 2nd Group 1 Irish Oaks, 3rd Group 1 Epsom Oaks

Produce Record:   2002 B.F Vallrica (Selkirk), dam of Gr3/Gr2 winner Khawlah 

                               2003 CH.C Lunar Landscape (Giants Causeway), placed in maidens in Dubai

                               2006 B.C  Valedictory (Dubai Destination), winner 

                               2007 B.C Burj Nahar (Shamardal), twice winner 

                               2008 B.C Chief Of Staff (Pivotal), winner at 2 in France

                               2009 B.C Masterstroke (Monsun), Gr wnr, 3rd in Gr1 Arc de Triomphe, sire in France

                               2010 B.G Urban Dance (Street Cry), 2yo mdn & H'cap winner 

                               2011 B.F Hidden Gold (Shamardal), dual winner in UK in 2014

                               2013 B.C Unamed (Cape Cross), 3/4 brother to champion Sea The Stars

                               2014 B.C Unamed (Dubawi)

Name:  Galileo (Sadlers Wells)

YOB:  1998

Race Record:  Champion EU 3yo, dual derby & King George winner

Stud Record:  Multiple champion sire of over 40 Gr1 winners inc Frankel (GB), leading sire of sires

Name:  Black Sam Bellamy (Sadlers Wells)

YOB: 1999

Race Record:  Dual Gr1 winner inc. Tatts Gold Cup & Gran premio del jockey club

Stud Record: sire of Gr1 wnr Earl Of Tinsdel & seven 100+ rated horses, stands at Shade Oak Stud (UK)

Name: Atticus (Sadlers Wells)

YOB: 2000

Race Record: Unraced

Stud Record:  Unknown

Name: All To Beautiful (Sadlers Wells)

YOB: 2001

Race Record: LR & Gr3 wnr, 2nd in the Gr1 Epsom oaks

Produce Record:  2007 B.F All For Glory (Giants Causeway), Unraced 

                              2008 B.F Wonder Of Wonders (Kingmambo), LR wnr, dual Gr1 Oaks placed 

                              2009 B.F Along (Smart Strike), ran three times in Ireland

                              2010 B.C Victory Song (Dansili), won mdn race as a 3yo in 2010

                              2011 B.F Sparrow (Oasis Dream), 2yo mdn wnr, Gr3 pl in 2014

                               

Name: My Typhoon (Giants Causeway), 1.800,000gns foal

YOB: 2002

Race Record: Grade 1 Diana stks wnr, also multiple Graded winner

Produce Record:  2009 B.G He's A Cyclone (Smart Strike), winner in USA

                              2010 CH.C Endorphins Fly (Distorted Humor), ran a few times in USA

                              2012 B.F Tsunami of Love (Bernardini), 2yo unraced-to-date 

                              2014 B.C Unamed (Tapit)

Name: Cherry Hinton (Green Desert)

YOB: 2004

Race Record: Gr3 Blue Wind stks placed

Produce Record: 2009 B.F Wading (Montjeu), 2yo Gr2 wnr, foaled a colt by War Front in 2014 in USA

                              2010 B.C Lake Michigan (Montjeu), unraced, jumps sire at Park House Stud (IRE)

                              2011 B.F Bracelet (Montjeu), dual Gr wnr in 2014 inc Gr2 Ribblesdale stks 

                              2012 B.F Simply A Star (Giants Causeway), stakes placed 2yo in 2014

                              2013 B.C Unamed (Fastnet Rock)

                              

Name: Sea's Legacy (Green Desert)

YOB: 2005

Race Record:  unraced 

Stud Career:  standing first season in France in 2014

Name: Sea The Stars (Cape Cross)

YOB: 2006

Race Record:  2yo Gr2 wnr, world champion 3yo inc 2000G/Derby/Arc de Triomphe

Stud Record: Two classic winners in first crop 3yo's in 2014, Europe's hottest young sire

Name: Born To Sea (Invincible Spirit)

YOB: 2009

Race Record:  2yo LR debut wnr, placed in the Gr1 Irish Derby

Stud Record: First crop are foals in 2014, standing at Rathaskar stud (IRE)

                              

                                

Urban Sea has lived up to her family's outstanding success. Not only is she the dam of two high class stallions, her daughters are also following in her trend. Sadly Urban Sea died after foaling Born To Sea but thanks to the success of her progeny, her name will live on through generations of Group 1 winners. This years Epsom derby festival was a memorable one for Urban Sea, with both her derby winning sons Galileo & Sea The Stars siring both classic winners. Taghrhooda ( Sea The Stars) was a three length winner of the Oaks. While Australia (Galileo) was as equally impressive in the derby, he later followed up in the Irish equivalent. While Taghrhooda is a hot favourite to win this weekends Irish Oaks.  As the famous saying goes success runs in the family. 

(Urban Sea & Group producing broodmare Cherry Hinton as a foal in 2004)

Date with Destiny: a legacy of George Washington

When George Washington was officially retired to stud at the end of the 2006 Flat season. Many breeders were already booking their high quality mares, so that they could produce the next generation of top class milers. George Washington was an unbeaten Gr1 winning 2yo & classic winning three-year-old. His win in the 2006 2000 Guineas beating subsequent Epsom Derby winner Sir Percy, was among one of the best displays by a young horse in a major European classic. George Washington was beaten in the Irish version due to an injury. But he came back at the end of the season to win the QEII at Ascot. He was then retired to his owners Coolmore stud in the hope that, he could take up the mantle left by his own outstanding sire Danehill. 

George Washington had an outstanding sires pedigree. He was by the all conquering sire Danehill, who was just at the time proving himself as a sire of sires. George Washing was out of the Alysheba mare Bordighera. She herself was stakes placed as a three-year-old. George Washington was also a half brother to the high class Group 1 winner Grandera. 

The 2007 breeding season had begun & the future looked very bright for George Washington, meanwhile Coolmore were nurturing another son of Danehill in HolyromanEmporer for another victory in 2000 guineas. However on the 10thMarch  2007 Coolmore suspended George Washington from covering duties due to severe fertility problems. To accommodate the breeders who had booked mares to George Washington, Coolmore brought in the nearest replacement Group 2 winning & Group 1 placed 2yo HolyromanEmporer. 

George Washington returned to training later that year. It turned out that he did get one mare in foal. That mare was Flawlessly, carrying the only ever George Washington foal. Meanwhile George Washington was under performing on the racecourse, this is often a regular problem with top class horses that return from covering duties. George Washington failed to win a single race that year & was tradigically killed when running in the 2007 Breeders Cup Classic. 

However his legacy has been passed down through Flawlessy filly foal. On the 4th February 2008, the Irish National Stud who boarded Flawlessy announced that she had produced a filly foal. There was much anticipation when it was announced later that year that Tattersells were to sell the only foal in the world by George Washington at their annual Tattersalls December foal sale. The filly boasted a nice pedigree. She was a half sister to the dam of group 3 winner & group 1 placed Best Name. While her half siblings were Group winner Ombre Legure, later dam of Japenese Group winner Germinal. The filly didn't disappoint selling for 320,000gns to Peter & Ross Doyle on behalf of Julie Wood. 

Named Date With Destiny, she was placed in the care of Richard Hannon. Date With Destiny got off to the perfect start winning on her debut at Newbury in July 2010. That proved to be her only win in 7 career starts. But she was stakes placed in the LR Lancashire Oaks. Date With Destiny returned to the Tattersalls ring in December 2011. She sold to John Warren Bld'stk for 185,000gns. 

Date With Destiny is now currently at Newsells Park Stud in England as a broodmare. She currently has a yearling filly by champion sire Galileo and was covered by Group 1 winner Nathaniel this year. Her offspring are eagerly awaited as they will be the only foals ever with George Washington as their dam sire.

Date With Destiny

Broodmare Focus: Quevega

Quevega proved herself to be one of jumps racing best race mares when this year she won the Grade 2 David Nicholson mares hurdles a record six times, becoming only the second horse ever to win at the Cheltenham six times. Golden Miller is the only other. Quevega was also a four time Grade 1 winner when she won the Ladbrokes series hurdle a record four times. This year she just failed to make it a fifth when finding Jetson too strong. Shortly after that defeat Willie Mullins announced her retirement. 

Quevega is the beat racehorse under her first three dams. Although some of her siblings managed to win races, none were as near Quevega in terms of ability. Some of her winning siblings include Little Vega, Sivega & Monvega. She also has a 5yo full brother named Vivega, he was third on his debut & like his sister is in the care of Willie Mullins. He is owned by Mrs Sussanah Ricci. 

Quevega's second dam Nigrella is unraced but did produce some winners at stud. Her winners included Ajask & Hesck both were winners over jumps. The third dam Escarbille II is the dam of Mir II a winner over jumps four times in France. 

Since her retirement Quevega was covered by Beat Hollow. A son of Sadlers Wells and Oaks winner Wehymiss Bight, he hails from the same Juddmonte family as top class flat sire Oasis Dream & this seasons leading miler Kingman. Beat Hollow stands at Ballylinch as a dual purpose sire. 

He has sired some very good horses on the flat including Group 1 winner Proportional & Royal Ascot Group 2 winner Sea Moon. His winners over jumps include Grade 1 winners Cinders And Ashes & Hollow Tree as well as multiple graded winners over hurdles. 

Quevega is a jewel as a broodmare. Not only has she a fantastic record but her pedigree is open to all the major jumps sires in Ireland & Britain. Racing eagerly anticipates her first foal. I would love to see what a mating with four time Gold Cup winner Yeats could produce. 

(Quevega with another racing legend in Hurricane Fly) 

Broodmare Focus: The Fugue

The Fugue has been a mare of consistency and proved to be a top class mare winning four Group 1 races. One of her best wins was in the Irish Champion Stakes in 2013, where she beat top middle distance performer Al Kazeem and that years Irish Derby winner Trading Leather. Her other wins included the Group 1 Prince Of Wales Stakes beating dual Group 1 winner Magician & Prix De Arc De Triomphe winner Treve. Her other top flight wins were in the Naussau stakes and the Yorkshire Oaks. 

The Fugue is owned and bred by Watership Down Stud, also breeders of another multiple Group 1 winning mare in Dar Re Mi. The Fugue is the first top flight winner for her dam. She is a half siater to minor winner Susan Stroman, while her full brother Ducab was also a minor winner. They are out of Group 2 placed Twyla Tharp, who has an unraced 2yo colt by Shamardal named China Club & a yearling filly by Oasis Dream.

Twyla Tharp is a 1/2 sister to two individual Group 1 winners. They are QEII winner Summoner also a winner at Group level & Coral Eclipse winner Common Admiral, who was a European champion 3yo. This is also the family of multiple Group winners Arvada & Ardagio. 

The Fugue is an interesting mare to retire to the paddocks. She has to be considered an exceptional broodmare prospect with her record and pedigree. Her sire Dansili is the broodmare sire of two Group 1 winners in Irish Oaks winner Chicquitta (Montjeu) & Middle Park Stakes winner Astaire (Intense Focus). Daughters of Dansili have also produced Stakes Winners with Walk In The Park (son of Montjeu), High Chaparral, Zafeen, Intikhab, Selkirk & Nayef. 

I'm not a close fan of too near inbreeding so I wouldn't be quick to choose an obvious sire like Galileo as he is by The Fugue's dam sire in Sadlers Wells. One sire in particular that strikes out for me is Giants Causeway. A top class racehorse himself & has proved himself to be a top class Gr1 sire. He is the grand sire of Astaire while his son Shamardal is the sire of The Fugue's 1/2 brother China Club. I do question weather connections would send The Fugue to the states when there is plenty of other sires to choose from here in Europe. Proven Group 1 sires like Oasis Dream, Invincible Spirit & Dubawi, who is a fascinating outcross. While there is also proven young sires like New Approach & the top class Sea The Stars, my guess is that they will choose a much more proven sire for The Fugue's first mating. 

(The Fugue winning the Naussau Stakes) 

Pedigree Profile: Sea The Moon

Sea The Moon kept his unbeaten record in tact with a facile victory in the Group 1 German Derby. Although the field wasn't a true high class field it did include Group winners Geoffrey Chaucer, Lucky Lion, & Magic Artist. Sea The Moon's impressive 11L victory says to me that he should be more then capable of taking on some of Europe's finest in the coming weeks. Before his Group 1 victory Sea The Moon was a dual Group winner. He was a Group 3 debut winner and followed that win up in the Group 2 Oppenheim-Union Rennen. 

Sea The Moon comes with a top class German family. His dam the unraced Sanwa is a full sister to three individual Group 1 winners. They are five time Group1 winner Schiaparelli and dual Group 1 winner including German Derby hero Samum and also Salve Regina, a Group 1 winner she went on to produce Grade 2 winner Salve Germania. Sanwa is also a half sister to the dams of Group 1 winners Sortilege, Seismos and his 1/2 sister the German Oaks winner Soberania, who is also by Monsun. 

The second dam Sacarina was unraced but is a 1/2 sister to Group 3 winner Lady Member, herself dam of Group 3 Jeresey stakes & Group 2 Mill Reef stakes placed Brave Owen. Sea The Moon is the only colt racing by his sire out of a Monsun mare. 

Sea The Moon was sent to the 2012 Tattersalls Book 1 October yearling sale. He was led out unsold at 230,000gns. It was a wise decision by his breeders Gestut Gorldorf as he is now worth much more then that. Sea The Moon has a yearling full sister already named Sea The Sun. She made 320,000gns at last years December foal sale and was bought by Christopher Tsui who owned and bred her famous sire. Sea The Sun is currently in the care of her sires handler John Oxx. 

Sea The Moon's prospect as a future stallion is already well established but if he can go on to win prestigious Group 1 races in France, England & Ireland he will further enchance his stud value. His owner has stated that it is unlikely that he will stand in Germany as they may not get the best mares for such an illustrious colt. With that in mind and more european Group 1's to his name preferby the Prix De Arc de Triomphe, I can see the France, UK or Ireland being the place for him to stand at stud when he does retire. 

(Sea The Moin draws away for an empathic success in the Gr1 German Derby) 

(Sea The Sun showm here as a foal selling for 320,000gns to Sunderland Holdings) 

Pedigree Profiles: Lankan Rupee

Lankan Rupee is now officially the best sprinter in the world. The son of Australian champion sire Redoutes Choice is the winner of nine of his sixteen career starts including three at Group 1 level. His major wins include the TJ smith stakes, Newmarket H'cap & the Oakleigh Plate. Before his Group 1 wins he was a dual Group winner including the Group 2 Rubitin stakes and the Group 3 Kevin Heffernan stakes. 

Lankan Rupee is the second foal and first runner for his dam, the Group 3 winner Estelle Collection, herself a daughter of Group 1 July cup victor Stravinsky. Estelle Collection has three other full siblings to Lankan Rupee including the unraced pair of Timeless Choice & Unmissible Choice, she also has Charming Estelle an unraced six-year-old. Estelle Collection's yearling is a filly by Manhatten Rain. She was sold this year to Coolmore for $1,400,000 carrying a full sibling to yer high class sprinter. 

Lankan Rupee's second dam is the dual Group winning Ana Zeel, she is a sister to the dam of stakes winner La Sizeranne.

The third dam My Tricia had a better career as a broodmare producing two dual Group 1 winners in Grosvenor winner of the Victoria Derby & Sires Produce, he became a successful sire at stud, while his full sibling National Gallery won the Group 1 WA derby. Their 1/2 sister Concia was a minor winner but followed up her dam in producing Group 1 winners. Her progeny including the dual Group 1 VRC & AJC Oaks winner Mahaya & the Group winning Shadea, who in turn is the dam of multiple Group 1 winner & Australian champion sire Lonhro. 

It is Unfortunate that Lankan Rupee is gelded as he has the pedigree to be a decent stallion with two proven Group 1 sires featuring in his pedigree, his sire is also establishing himself as a sire of sires however connections had felt that after he was gelded he became a better horse temperament & ability wise. Lankan Rupee is owned & bred by the Teeley Assests LTD syndicate who also bred his dam & his successful sire. Talent definitely runs in the family!.