PartialLogo
News

Autumn targets and Mishriff's racing future to be decided in the next week

Mishriff: lots of big-race options in the autumn
Mishriff: lots of big-race options in the autumnCredit: Grossick Racing

Emphatic Juddmonte International winner Mishriff’s autumn agenda and a decision on whether he races on next year will be determined in the next week, with the Qipco Champion Stakes, Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe, Breeders’ Cup Turf and Japan Cup among possible targets.

Owner Prince Faisal, his racing manager Ted Voute and trainers John and Thady Gosden will meet to map out a plan for the scintillating York scorer, who became the world’s best older horse on Racing Post Ratings with his six-length success over Alenquer.


Mishriff becomes world's best older horse following Juddmonte tour de force (Members' Club)


Mishriff is a best-priced 5-1 second favourite with Paddy Power and Betfair for the Qipco Champion Stakes at Ascot on October 16 and 12-1 for the Arc at Longchamp on October 3.

The four-year-old's Sheema Classic victory, as well as his Juddmonte win, means he could earn a $3m bonus if successful in the Japan Cup on November 28.

Mishriff: impressive winner of the Juddmonte International at York
Mishriff: impressive winner of the Juddmonte International at YorkCredit: Edward Whitaker

Voute said: “We’re still bathing in the glory of his magnificent win. The manner in which he won was fantastic and it really put him up there as one of the best, if not the best, in the world at ten furlongs, so it was very exciting.

“The Juddmonte is very close to the Prince’s heart as Prince Khalid Abdullah was a great friend of his, so it was a special day and he is absolutely delighted. The Prince is flying over to meet John – there’s some obvious targets but between them they will decide where they want to aim.

“The great thing about Mishriff is he’s very adaptable, be it different trips or different surfaces, but a lot of it regarding which races he goes for will depend on whether he races on next year or whether it is the right time for him to go to stud at the end of this campaign. That will be a key part in the discussions."

On Mishriff's future beyond racing, Voute added: “He’s highlighted himself to a lot of studmasters with what he has achieved and that may be a big influence as to whether he stays in training. He’s attracted a lot of interest from America, Japan and Europe.

"It’s likely he’ll go to stud, but the Prince wants to sit down with John and have a frank and open discussion about the autumn and his future.”

Mishriff, a son of dual top-level winner Make Believe, has been a standout and poignant horse for connections.

“Prince Faisal absolutely loves the sport and Mishriff is named after his closest friend who died recently. A lot of people follow Mishriff from Saudi Arabia and it’s been a great boost for the Saudi Cup,” says Voute.

“The Prince has really enjoyed Mishriff's journey and it's given him the chance to introduce his sons, who were at York, to racing in a more in-depth way, which was very important to him.”


Read more . . .

Expert jury: is Mishriff the best horse in the world?

'This is my best day on track' – Mishriff masterclass a thrill for David Egan

Egan experiences the big-race buzz with Mishriff – in more ways than one (Members' Club)

Magnificent Mishriff silences stamina doubters with stunning Sheema Classic win

Mishriff takes Riyadh riches in Saudi Cup for Gosden and Egan


Watch live races through the Racing Post. Log in to your bookmaker account and look on the racecards for eligible races. Click the red 'Watch live now' icon and they're off! Find out how here


Jack HaynesReporter

Published on 24 August 2021inNews

Last updated 21:12, 23 August 2021

iconCopy