Montjeu in King George; Kayf Tara Retired

Michael Tabor's Montjeu heads a field of eight entered in Saturday's King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Diamond Stakes (Eng-I) at Ascot, England. The 1 1/2-mile race is the second leg of the Emirates World Series Racing Championship. Dubai Millennium currently leads the series after winning its first race, the Dubai World Cup (UAE-I).

Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe Lucien Barriere (Fr-I) winner Montjeu (Sadler's Wells--Floripedes, by Top Ville) is undefeated in two starts as a 4-year-old, including a five-length romp in the Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud (Fr-I) earlier this month. He brings a career record of nine wins from 11 starts into Saturday's race.

The King George and Queen Elizabeth lost another multiple group I winner when it was announced Thursday that Godolphin Racing's champion Kayf Tara was retired due to a recurrence of a suspensory injury that forced him to the sidelines last fall. Kayf Tara won the 2 1/2-mile Gold Cup (Eng-I) at Ascot in his last start, repeating his 1998 victory in that race. Kayf Tara (Sadler's Wells--Colorspin, by High Top) retires with 10 wins in 15 career starts and over $1-million in earnings.

The field for the King George IV and Queen Elizabeth Diamond Stakes will consist of: Beat All, Daliapour, Fantastic Light, Fruits of Love, Montjeu, Shiva, Air Shakur, and Rapour.