byMike Curry

A significant step up in class was no problem for Jan Vermeer on Sunday at Saint-Cloud as the Montjeu (Ire) colt set the pace in his stakes debut and rolled to a four-length win in the Criterium International (Fr-G1).

Jan Vermeer won a maiden race on September 26 at Gowran Park by 2 1/2 lengths for trainer Aidan O’Brien and owners Michael Tabor, Derrick Smith, and Susan Magnier.

Ballydoyle first-call rider Johnny Murtagh rode stablemate Midas Touch in the Criterium International, but it was Jan Vermeer who turned in the breakout performance with a dominant front-running victory under Colm O'Donoghue. Jan Vermeer completed 1,600 meters (7.95 furlongs) in 1:45.60 on turf rated as soft.

"He won very easily and he must be very smart,” O'Donoghue told Racing Post. “We were always going well."

Out of the winning Pennekamp mare Shadow Song, Jan Vermeer improved to two wins from three starts. O’Brien said he was concerned about the soft ground, but Jan Vermeer handled himself far better than his stablemate.

"We were worried about the ground before the race, because his last run was on good to firm. Midas Touch began to lean a bit and maybe didn't appreciate the ground.” O’Brien told Racing Post.

“That's it for this year [for Jan Vermeer]. He appeared to have plenty of speed.”

Stakes winner Emerald Commander finished second, 1 1/2 lengths clear of the Aga Khan’s previously unbeaten homebred filly Rosanara, winner of the Total Prix Marcel Boussac-Criterium des Pouliches (Fr-G1). Midas Touch finished fourth in the seven-horse field.

Mike Curry is a Thoroughbred Times TODAY editor