Montjeu was yesterday morning reported in good order following his breathtaking victory in the King George VI And Queen Elizabeth Diamond Stakes at Ascot on Saturday.
The heavily-backed 1 to 3 favourite never gave his supporters a moments anxiety as he defeated a high-class field without coming off the bridle.
"The horse is fine and has eaten up," said Chantilly-based trainer John Hammond's wife Georgina. The style in which Montjeu came from last to first in a matter of strides before cruising home one and three-quarter lengths clear of Fantastic Light in the prestigious Group One contest, came as a something of a surprise to connections.
"You don't expect them to go past horses, who are Group horses in their own right, as though they were standing still," Mrs Hammond remarked. Montjeu will now be aimed at the Esat Digifone Irish Champion Stakes at Leopardstown in September before attempting to repeat last year's win in the Arc. A clash with Godolphin's Dubai Millennium at Leopardstown now seems unlikely, with Sheikh Mohammed aiming his star colt at Deauville's Prix Jacques le Marois instead.
"I think the target with Dubai Millennium is the Breeders' Cup and we have to space his races before then," said Sheikh Mohammed.
"Dubai Millennium is likely to go to Deauville for the Prix Jacques le Marois and then back to Ascot for the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes. I'm spacing it out because that gives him five weeks between races."
Johnny Murtagh, continued his successful association with the Michael Stoute stable yesterday when partnering Greek Dance to victory the Group One Grosser Dallmayr Preis over 10 furlongs at Munich. The winner was a 17 to 10 chance on the tote. Stoute was also successful at Deauville yesterday when Interlude, ridden by Thierry Jarnet, battled her way to a narrow victory in the Prix de Pomone.
Aidan O'Brien has confirmed that Giant's Causeway will bid for a hat-trick of Group One successes when he lines up in the Champagne Lanson Sussex Stakes at Goodwood on Wednesday.
The Ballydoyle trainer, who visited the course yesterday to inspect the going, said: "He could well go to Goodwood and then to York for the International but his main target is the Breeders' Cup Classic.
"It's beautiful ground at Goodwood and I'm looking forward to seeing him run. Manhattan is in the race to ensure there is a good gallop."
O'Brien's Pyrus was a non-runner in the Prix Robert Papin at Maisons-Laffitte on Saturday, won by the the unbeaten Italian filly, Rolly Polly. Godolphin's American two-year-old operation celebrated its first success via E Dubai in a $47,000 five-furlong maiden at Del Mar on Saturday.
