Johannesburg Remains Unbeaten With Prix Morny Win

Michael Tabor and Mrs. John Magnier's Johannesburg remained unbeaten while giving trainer Aidan O'Brien another group I success in Sunday's Prix Morny Casinos Barriere at Deauville. On good to soft turf at the French course, the 2-year-old Hennessy colt completed the six furlongs in 1:10 2/5 to earn his fifth victory and second group I win. Earlier this month at Leopardstown, Johannesburg earned a five-length win in the Independent Waterford Wedgwood Phoenix Stakes (Ire-I) on yielding turf.

Johannesburg raced in fifth position at the midway point under Michael Kinane, then began a move which saw him take the lead with just under a furlong to run. He then edged away from Zipping to earn the 1 1/2-length win. Zipping (by Zafonic) finished another 1 1/2 lengths in front of Meshaheer (Nureyev), with Firebreak (Charnwood Forest) fourth in the 11-horse field.

According to Sporting Life, Johannesburg is under consideration for the Breeders' Cup Juvenile (gr. I).

Also at Deauville Sunday, 2000 French Derby winner Holding Court (Hernando) won the Grand Prix de Deauville Lucien Barriere (Fr-II) by 2 1/2 lengths over Godolphin's Marienbard. The Michael Jarvis-trained winner completed the 1 9/16 miles in 2:41.30 under Philip Robinson.