French star Montjeu, who has enlivened the European racing scene for the past two years, walked off into the sunset tonight.
He was retired after finishing seventh in the Breeders` Cup Turf at Churchill Downs in Kentucky. He will be remembered as one of the best mile-and-a-half horses seen in recent years, thanks to victories in the Prix de l`Arc de Triomphe last year and the King George VI And Queen Elizabeth Diamond Stakes at Ascot in July.
Montjeu is to stand as a stallion next year in Ireland, joining the likes of `iron horse` Giant`s Causeway and his own sire Sadler`s Wells at Coolmore Stud.
The bay first made his mark in the best company when winning the Prix du Jockey-Club (French Derby) at Chantilly last year and he followed up with an imperious five-length triumph in the Irish Derby at the Curragh.
He was crowned Europe`s champion three-year-old after completing a top-class hat-trick in the Arc, doing very well to catch the Japanese raider El Condor Pasa and score by half a length, the pair six lengths clear.
Kept in training by Michael Tabor he rewarded the decision with three further Group One wins, each time showing his characteristic burst of speed to see off his rivals in a matter of strides. Highlight was the King George as he hardly came off the bridle to justify odds of 1-3 in Britain`s most prestigious middle-distance race.
But things started to go awry in the autum as a minor setback forced him to miss the Irish Champion Stakes.
Back at Longchamp he could finish only fourth behind Sinndar when bidding to become the first repeat Arc winner for 22 years.
And he was beaten by another of the Aga Khan`s colts in Kalanisi when second in the Dubai Champion Stakes at Newmarket a fortnight ago.
Overall he won 11 of his 16 career starts, recording six Group One victories, and earned over #2.3million in prizemoney.
Cash Asmussen rode him to his two Derby triumphs but was then replaced by Michael Kinane due to fears over the American jockey`s availability for the Arc.
Kinane kept the mount thereafter, save for in this year`s Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud when he was claimed to ride in Ireland and Asmussen deputised successfully.
