Wednesday 18 February 2009
18th February 2009 - The Aga Khan Studs have announced that MONTMARTRE, winner of the 2008 Grand Prix de Paris (Group 1), will not race again, after a recurrence of his setback which prevented the colt from being trained for the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe.
The son of Montjeu won three of his five races during a short but impressive career, culminating in a 4 length win in the Grand Prix de Paris which saw him join stablemate Zarkava as ante-post favourite for the Prix de L’Arc de Triomphe.
MONTMARTRE was always highly regarded by his trainer Alain de Royer Dupré, who prepared the colt for the Prix du Jockey-Club after a single Maiden victory. Unfortunately MONTMARTRE enjoyed little luck in running on this occasion, but he showed his true ability when easily winning the Group 3 Prix du Lys over a mile and a half at Longchamp and then confirmed his talent when dominating the field in the Group 1 Grand Prix de Paris at the same track on Bastille Day. He had Group winners Curtain Call, Alessandro Volta, Prospect Wells, Doctor Fremantle, Cima De Triomphe and Centennial behind him.
In the international classifications MONTMARTRE was rated 125 alongside Henrythenavigator, Goldikova, Conduit, Big Brown, Youmzain and Zenyatta. He was the joint 3rd top rated 3yo colt in 2008 behind New Approach (130) and Raven’s Pass (129).
MONTMARTRE is a son of proven stallion Montjeu, the sire of eight individual Group 1 winners including Hurricane Run, Motivator, Authorized and Frozen Fire. His dam ARTISTIQUE is a Group 3 winning daughter of former leading French sire Linamix and she has also produced the Group placed Artistica. ARTISTIQUE’s full sister Armilina and half-brother Army King are both Pattern performers.
