Love Seeks to Turn Tables on Mishriff in International

A suspicion lingers that we did not see the real Love  in last month's King George VI and Queen Elizabeth QIPCO Stakes (G1) and we would not have seen in her in the Juddmonte International (G1) Aug. 18 had stablemate and coming force St Mark's Basilica  not suffered a last-minute setback.

The daughter of Galileo, a star of 2020 when her triumphs included the QIPCO One Thousand Guineas (G1), Investec Oaks (G1), and Darley Yorkshire Oaks (G1) at this meeting, had been due to run in the Aug. 22 Prix Jean Romanet (G1) at Deauville, but steps into the breach a few days early as she bids to consign her somewhat tame Ascot display to history.

Sent off the 13-8 favorite for the midsummer highlight after her Prince of Wales's (G1) score, she finished third to Adayar , 1 3/4 lengths behind runner-up Mishriff , whom she meets again here. 

Love seemed to be beaten on merit, but a closer look shows she was short of room at a crucial point two out and then carried her head awkwardly.

Aidan O'Brien, who trains Love for Coolmore partners Michael Tabor, Derrick Smith, and John Magnier, said: "The plan was for Love to go to France at the weekend, so she hasn't done a lot since Ascot, but we've had to redirect her here after what happened to St Mark's Basilica." 

O'Brien, seeking a record seventh win in the prestigious contest, added: "Her program was geared towards her going to France so we've had to alter that slightly, but she seems to be in good form."

The International is part of the Breeders' Cup Challenge Series and will award the winner a fees-paid berth in the Nov. 6 Longines Breeders' Cup Classic (G1), to be run at 1 1/4 miles on the dirt at Del Mar.

Mishriff Ready for Long-Term Plan 

John Gosden, now operating in partnership with son Thady, might think his chances of a hat-trick of training titles have evaporated given he trails pacesetter Andrew Balding by more than £900,000, but Mishriff is a high-class and consistent colt who has certainly kept the bank balance topped up in recent times.

The bulk of his £10,523,423 earnings has come from lucrative trips abroad this year when he won the Saudi Cup and Dubai Sheema Classic Presented by Longines (G1), helping rising star of the weighing room David Egan make a name—and a few quid—for himself.

Successful in last year's Prix du Jockey Club (G1), Mishriff, who runs in the colors of breeder Prince Faisal, was third behind St Mark's Basilica in the Coral-Eclipse (G1) before his fine King George effort, but there is a sense connections have long deemed this £1 million event as an ideal one for the 4-year-old.

"This race has been the plan for a long time," John Gosden said.

"We were very pleased with his run in the King George before which he overraced at Sandown in the Eclipse where he tired in the last furlong on his first run back after a break. This track and the trip should suit and he's had a good prep. 

"It's a shame St Mark's Basilica can't be there, but it still looks like a fascinating contest."

Three-Year-Olds Join the Fray

The Tattersalls Irish Two Thousand Guineas winner (G1) Mac Swiney  will face older horses for the first time in the Juddmonte International and shorten back up to about 10 furlongs after losses at 12 furlongs in his last two starts.

"He's very well and I'm happy with him. We're hopeful that going back to a mile and a quarter will bring out the best in him," trainer Jim Bolger said. "As usual, it's a hot race, but York has been a lucky track for me and I'm hoping that the luck will stay with us."

The filly Alcohol Free  has won two of her last three outings, taking the Coronation Stakes (G1) against her own kind during the Royal Ascot meeting and most recently defeating males and older rivals in the Qatar Sussex Stakes (G1) at Goodwood.

"I don't draw comparisons because Alcohol Free is a very light-framed, athletic, feminine type of horse and Roaring Lion (the late winner of the International in 2018) was the opposite—very strong and a very different character—but she's been a superstar for me," her rider Oisin Murphy said. "You don't have easy races at Goodwood, but she came out of the Sussex very well. She'll either stay or she won't, and whatever happens won't detract from what she's already achieved. There will be plenty of time afterwards to freshen her up for QIPCO British Champions Day. She's not a difficult ride once she's in behind, and I'll hopefully be able to get her in and switch her off, although she can be quite electric from the gates even when I don't want her to be. With a filly there's nothing to lose."