Magic Mishriff a class above in International

It was a truly International affair on the Knavesmire on Wednesday as the globetrotting sensation Mishriff confirmed his superstar status when taking a maiden Group 1 under David Egan in the Juddmonte International.

Mishriff and David Egan head to the start of the King George on his previous start

Photo: Jack Williams / JTW Equine Images

Sent off the 2/1 Favourite after his gallant second at Ascot behind Adaayar, he was always travelling smoothly under his young jockey to score by 6 lengths, a huge distance give the grade, from Alenquer and Love, who was third once again this season.

In taking the £1Million Juddmonte International, Mishriff added to an already stellar trophy cabinet, with wins this year in the Saudi Cup and Dubai Sheema Classic this Winter and Spring, resulting in a whopping £10Million alone.

At the start Love was slightly ungainly and awkward coming out of the stalls, with jockey Ryan Moore happy to sit in third behind Irish 2000 Guineas winner Mac Swiney, who was sent forward to take up the running from Alenquer. Mishriff sat alongside Love in fourth, with Oisin Murphy shadowing both behind during the 1m 2f trip, a trip she was trying for the first time.

It was a steady pace throughout the first half of the race, and when rounding the turn into the straight all the major players were keeping their powder dry. With 3 furlongs to run Ryan Moore began to push away on Love to try and take the race by the scruff of the neck, with Oisin Murphy urging Alcohol Free, winner of the Sussex stakes, to do just the same.

The eye was drawn however to the near side and David Egan, who was motionless aboard Mishriff, and whom of which cruised up alongside Mac Swiney, who was beginning to backpedal as his stamina wore thin.

It did not matter that there was still a couple of furlongs to run as once Mishriff got to the front, he was simply not for catching. He was sent on by David and immediately responded, pulling away from his toiling rivals and scoring by 6 lengths, in a fashion that screamed superstar and the complete package.

Indeed, speaking to the media afterwards, John Gosden was full of praise for his globetrotter, stating that “at a mile and a quarter he is a brilliant horse. He has done nothing wrong and has come to his very best”.

“I think we have seen the finished article”

Mishriff and David Egan after their runner-up finish at ascot

Photo: Jack Williams / JTW Equine Images

“This was the race we talked about since last summer before making him a stallion for Europe”, he uttered to ITV Racing’s Matt Chapman post-race, indicating that he will have a swansong at the end of this season.

On the subject of his next race, John replied that “I would be inclined to look at the Arc and Champions Day. I would not be ruling out the Breeders Cup either”

The winner is now around the 5-2 price for the QIPCO Champions Stakes, with Sky Bet going 5-2 and both Paddy Power and Betfair going 5-1 for the culmination of the British Champion Series, and is around the 8-1 mark for the Breeders Cup Classic upon the receipt of this news, with William Hill offering 10-1 and Paddy Power going 7-1.

Of the beaten horse, Alcohol Free and Mohaafeth both looked not to be able to stay the trip, whilst Alenquer looked like he may need the opposite and go even further, so a trip to a mile and a half looks in store for him.

There was also news of Palace Pier from John Gosden, who has stated that he will run at Ascot on British Champions Day, but it will also be his swansong.

Speaking to talkSPORT, his recent dual Prix Jacques le Marois winner is entered in both the Queen Elizabeth Stakes over 1 mile and the Champion Stakes over 2 furlongs further.

“I mentioned 10 furlongs as a possibility and he is in both races”, but added that if it was very soft he would be running in the race over one mile.

It would appear that two of his stable stalwarts will retire at the end of the season. Fingers crossed Stradivarius stays in training!