'Bouncing' Mishriff set for Breeders' Cup test for his final racecourse start

Mishriff is set for one final start as a racehorse before stallion duties after being given the green light to tackle the Breeders’ Cup Turf at Keeneland on November 5.

John and Thady Gosden put their five-year-old through his paces on the Limekilns trial ground in Newmarket on Saturday morning and he is on course to make a first appearance in the 1m4f contest, worth $4 million.

The son of Make Believe landed the Saudi Cup and Juddmonte International last year but has been campaigned solely in Europe since failing to beat a rival when defending his crown in Riyadh on his seasonal reappearance in February.

Mishriff has run some fine races in defeat this year, notably when second in the Coral-Eclipse at Sandown before filling the same position when chasing home Baaeed in the Juddmonte at York.

A draw in stall 17 combined with very soft ground compromised his chances in the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe earlier this month, when he finished 13th.

Before that defeat at Longchamp, when he was partnered by William Buick for the first time, Mishriff had already been sold to French operation Sumbe to stand as a stallion in 2023.

Ted Voute, racing manager to Mishriff's racing owner Prince Faisal, said: “John and Thady have recommended a tilt at the Breeders' Cup Turf for Mishriff who seems to have come out of the Arc very well. I saw him the other day and he was bouncing, extremely well in himself, so that’s where we're heading.”

Mishriff's new owners are onboard with the US trip with Voute adding: “Nurlan Bizakov and his Sumbe operation bought the stallion rights in the horse before the Arc. He was also keen for him to have one last hurrah at the Breeders' Cup before he went off to stud at Haras de Montfort et Preaux in France.

"We were very close to going to the Breeders’ Cup at Del Mar last year but he had not long come out of a hard race in the Champion Stakes at Ascot whereas this time he has a bigger gap."

Mishriff is as short as 7-1 with bet365 and Paddy Power to make his final appearance a winning one with the Godolphin-owned Rebel's Romance a general 4-1 favourite.

Voute said: "The mile and a half turf race doesn’t look as strong as in previous years with no standout horse, although I’m not sure who will turn up. We’re looking forward to it and hopefully he can get an overdue win as he deserves it.”

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