SEVEN years ago a French-based colt swept past his rivals in the straight at Epsom, getting his head in front near the line and becoming the latest Derby hero for his sire, Montjeu. That grandson of Sadler’s Wells (by Northern Dancer) was the Andre Fabre-trained Pour Moi.
The colt he pipped at Epsom was Treasure Beach, the subsequent Group 1 Irish Derby and Grade 1 Secretariat Stakes winner. That Aidan O’Brien-trained rival continued his top-level travels for a few more years and is now a Florida-based stallion whose eldest offspring are three-year-olds, but Pour Moi never ran again.
He is out of Gwynn (by Darshaan) and so is a half-brother (could be called a three-parts brother) to Gagnoa (by Sadler’s Wells), the dual Group 3 winner who chased home Zarkava in the Group 1 Prix de Diane (French Oaks) and Belle Et Celebre in the Group 1 Prix Saint-Alary and who finished a two-length third to Moonstone in the Group 1 Irish Oaks. Their half-sister Kissed (by Galileo) was a runaway listed scorer over 10 furlongs at Naas from just three starts, and both of the fillies are now blacktype producers at stud.
Pour Moi, of course, is now among that select group of Derby-winning colts who went on to sire a Derby hero at stud as his son Wings Of Eagles flew past his rivals last June to take the classic at odds of 40/1.
The manner of his victory suggested it was no fluke, that he was a colt finally coming into his own, and that made his injury in the Group 1 Irish Derby four weeks later such a disappointment. Despite that setback, he failed by just a neck and a short-head to beat Capri and Cracksman at the Curragh.
Wings Of Eagles is now in his first season at stud at Haras de Montaigu in France, and his sire has also given us the Australian mile Group 1 scorer Sacred Elixir, pattern-winning Irish sprinter Only Mine, and three other flat stakes winners.
Pour Moi, who comes from the family of Epsom classic stars Snow Bride (by Blushing Groom) and Lammtarra (by Nijinsky), is now in his second season at Grange Stud, and although his first National Hunt-bred crop are only arriving this year, his flat-bred jumpers have already yielded several winners.
The Montjeu branch of the Sadler’s Wells line has excelled both on the flat and in National Hunt circles and classic sire Pour Moi promises to make an impact in the latter.
POUR MOI (IRE), Bay 2008. Won three races, £798,893, from 1 mile 1 furlong to 1½ miles, at 2 and 3 years including, Investec Derby Stakes, Epsom Downs, Gr.1, Prix Greffulhe, Saint-Cloud, Gr.2, also 3rd Prix La Force, Longchamp, Gr.3.
Retired to stud in 2012, and sire of the winners of 163 races, and over £3,655,969, including WINGS OF EAGLES (FR), SACRED ELIXIR (NZ), ONLY MINE (IRE), HAUSSMANN (NZ), DIAMONDS POUR MOI (GB), FREEDOM BEEL (IRE), My Scholar (FR), Rosenpurpur (GER) and Magic Mystery (GB), and sire of the winners of 7 races, and £76,982 under N.H. Rules, including Look My Way (GB)
Stands at: Grange Stud, Fermoy, Co Cork, Ireland
Contact: David Magnier, Albert Sherwood, Andrew Magnier, David O’Sullivan or Catherine Magnier
Telephone: +353 (0)25 33006
Email: info@grangestud.com
Web: www.coolmore.com
Fee: €5,000