Mishriff Gets Chance at Return to Limelight in BC Bow

Of all of the European contenders to take to the track at Keeneland in the days leading up to the Breeders' Cup World Championships, Mishriff  cut one of the finest figures.

"He's awesome," said Ted Voute, racing manager for owner Prince Faisal, of the homebred 5-year-old son of the Prince's dual grade 1 winner Make Believe . "He's always been that eyeful, great, balanced horse. He's big, but he doesn't look big. He's a great mover. He's got that unusual head carriage that's low. He's been a pleasure to be around. We've really enjoyed him."

The John Gosden trainee will make his career bow in the Nov. 5 Longines Breeders' Cup Turf (G1T) at Keeneland, as he is set to stand the 2023 season at Sumbe's Haras de Montfort et Préaux in France.

"He's bought a majority share; we kept a small part of him, really for the future and the future of the breeding operation," Voute said. "The Prince obviously raised his father and he's raised that family for generations and has a great passion of breeding horses and he's looking forward to (it)."

With the 2020 Prix du Jockey Club (G1) on his resume along with the 2021 Saudi Cup (G1), Longines Dubai Sheema Classic (G1), and Juddmonte International Stakes (G1), Mishriff is seeking his first win of the season. He has run competitively, however, in races like this year's International, when second to Baaeed . And Gosden believes he should have won the Coral-Eclipse Stakes (G1), where his flying finish was just too late to nip Vadeni  for the score.

"I think the one race that got away from him was the Eclipse," the trainer said. "He should have won the Eclipse. It's just life. He got held down on the rail; that happens at Sandown in small fields. And I think that was the one that got away."

In 20 starts, Mishriff has raced in England, Saudi Arabia, Dubai, France, and Ireland.

"He's a very consistent, solid; he's gone around the world," Gosden added. "He's a tough cookie. He's a 5-year-old full horse and he still has a great appetite for the game. He loves traveling. He's really enjoyed coming here and always picks himself up and he shows tremendous vitality. He just loves a new environment. So I probably should have traveled with him more, but he's traveled a fair bit. He's been around the world."

The bay runner must rebound from a 13th in the Oct. 2 Qatar Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe (G1) at ParisLongchamp last out, for which his connections have blamed the heavy going that developed during a deluge.

"We were suffering, obviously, in the autumn with heavy ground—deep, loose ground," Gosden said. "I mean, let's face it, at Ascot the same thing happened there. It's no one's fault. It's the weather. He tried hard, but he couldn't go in that ground. This will be very different. We're going to be on fast ground, firm turf. Last time I was here was seven years ago with Golden Horn and we got three inches of rain, so luckily we're not getting that.'

"We weren't beaten by much at the end of the day (in the Arc)," Voute added. "It it looks like we're going to have some ground that he particularly enjoys. They tell me the turf system is really developed, it's one of the best in the country. Let's hope he really enjoys it when he goes."

Frankie Dettori has the call on Mishriff, 6-1 on the morning line from post 11 of 13 in the 1 1/2-mile affair. Win, lose, or draw, he has already given his connections the ride of a lifetime.  

"Prince Faisal has won races in his own country, named him after one of his great friends; it's meant a lot to him, the whole journey," Voute said. "We can't wait to get baby Mishriffs next."