Derby Triumph for Kiwi Son of Montjeu

26th April 2008

The 2400 metres of the Group One AJC Australian Derby at Royal Randwick on Saturday was never going to be one for the faint hearted given the heavy track conditions and in the end the spoils went to the best stayer in Nom du Jeu (3c Montjeu x Prized Gem, by Prized).

Prepared in New Zealand by Murray Baker, Nom du Jeu was making his Australian debut and left an indelible impression in surging home to beat another Kiwi raider in Red Ruler by the best part of a length with well fancied Littorio a gallant third.

“I’ve had a lot of faith in this horse,” declared Baker.

“I trained his mother Prized Gem and she won a Brisbane Cup. He’s still six months away, but he’s a real stayer and he’s a pretty good horse.”

Already a Group Three winner of the Waikato Guineas back in February, Nom du Jeu finished fourth in the Group One New Zealand Derby but has obviously strengthened and improved since then.

His overall record now stands at four wins and three placigns from 11 starts, his prizemoney soaring to $1,191,076.

Nom Du Jeu is one of 41 stakes-winners (eight of them Group One) worldwide for champion sire Montjeu, who shuttled to Windsor Park Stud in New Zealand for four seasons but is now permanently based at Coolmore Ireland where he commands a fee of 125,000 euros.

Nom Du Jeu was retained to race by his breeder Mrs Billie Morton, who also enjoyed much success with the colt’s dam Prized Gem, also trained by Murray Baker as mentioned previously.

A dual Group One winner of the Kelt Capital Stakes and QTC Brisbane Cup, Prized Gem won nine races and over $1million in prizemoney and Nom Du Jeu is her very first foal.