The premature loss of Coolmore champion Montjeu was a focal point at Flemington on Tuesday when his high-class son Green Moon captured the G1 Melbourne Cup.

Green Moon (Ire) bounced back from a last-start failure in the G1 Cox Plate to claim the $6.20 million race that has been dominated by imported stayers in recent years.  He defeated fellow Irish bred gallopers Fiorente (Monsun) and Jakkalberry (Storming Home).

Montjeu died at Coolmore Stud in March after a short illness due to complications from septicemia.  He was 16.

Montjeu (Sadler’s Wells) had sired 112 stakes winners at the time of his demise.  They included the English Derby winners Motavator, Authorized and Pour Moi and he added another in June when Camelot was successful at Epsom Downs.

Green Moon (6h Montjeu – Green Noon by Green Tune) burst to the front in the Melbourne Cup and put the race to bed in a couple of strides.  “I can’t thank Lloyd (Williams) enough for the ride,” jockey Brett Prebble said.  “He was never going to get beaten.  He travelled well and has a great turn of foot.”

Williams bought Green Moon after an English career that included a Listed victory in the Fairway Stakes at Newmarket.  His breeder Ben Goldsmith is a son of the late Sir James Goldsmith who bred Montjeu.

Ben Goldsmith catalogued Green Moon for the Tattersalls October Sale last year but the horse was withdrawn and sold privately to Team Williams.  He is the sole foal from Longchamp G3 winner Green Noon.  The dam was also runner-up to Storm Cat filly Denebola in the G1 Prix Marcel Boussac.

– Karl Patterson

GREEN MOON
Irish bred stayer wins the Melbourne Cup