The John Gosden trained Mishriff looks to be the best of the British that will head over to Saudi Arabia in February for the $20million Saudi Cup in Riyadh and his trainer is hoping for a huge run.
The four year old exceeded expectations last term being unbeaten on all three of his starts to date, starting in the Listed Newmarket Stakes where he saw off his highly touted stablemate Waldkonig.
He then stepped up to the French Derby at Chantilly and he landed the event in fine style, pulling away from a talented field to take the first Group One of his career.
Gosden went with the approach that if its not broke, don't fix it and he sent him back to France for the Group Two Prix Guillaume daEUR and although only a small field took to post, he landed the spoils nicely.
Having swerved the Arc the colt was in flying form and headed for the Champion Stakes at Ascot for his final run of the season and unfortunately ran no sort of race and was outclassed on the day.
Mishriff wins the Prix du Jockey Club for John Gosden at @fgchantilly! pic.twitter.com/AW6BnN7KzR
— At The Races (@AtTheRaces) July 5, 2020
However, his connections are putting that run down to a blip and they are hoping he can get back to his best in Saudi Arabia.
(Credit ATR) Ted Voute, racing manager to owner Prince Faisal, said: “John’s preparing him for the race. The Prince and him discussed it in late December and the Prince lives in Riyadh.
“It’s on a dirt track which he handled last year when he came second. We’re going back a furlong, but we hope it won’t inconvenience him.
“It’s something to look forward to. There’s not a lot for him at home until probably June. Last year he went out there and (then) won the French Derby which was the same sort of timing. It gives him a few months off after he comes back.”
Last season David Egan was taken off Mishriff in some of his big outings with Frankie Dettori taking the rides but he gets his opportunity to jump back on Mishriff in February.
“He’s in Bahrain at the moment so he’s nice and close,” he added.
“We’ve contacted him already and he says he’ll be delighted to ride him. He’s retained by us, but for one reason or another he didn’t get back on him last year (after Newmarket).”