Options Abound for International Hero Mishriff

Emphatic Juddmonte International Stakes (G1) 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 (G1), Qatar Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe (G1), Longines Breeders' Cup Turf (G1T), and Japan Cup (G1) 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 is a best-priced 5-1 second favorite with Paddy Power and Betfair for the Champion Stakes at Ascot Oct. 16 and 12-1 for the Arc at ParisLongchamp Oct. 3.

The 4-year-old's Dubai Sheema Classic Presented by Longines (G1) victory, as well as his International win, means he could earn a $3 million bonus if successful in the Nov. 28 Japan Cup.

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 10 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.

He began his stellar 2021 campaign with a win over grade 1 winner Charlatan   in the $20 million Saudi Cup on dirt.

"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."