It’s looking increasingly unlikely that Mishriff’s famous victory in the $20 million Saudi Cup on the acclaimed King Abdulaziz racetrack in Riyadh a fortnight ago was the start of an ongoing relationship with dirt.
It had been taken for granted by many that the colt, having just proved himself on the surface with that victory in the world’s richest race, displaying a level of performance at least as high as he had achieved in his previously turf-only career (according to his TRC Computer Race Ratings), would have his next outing in the conveniently adjacent $12 million Dubai World Cup, the world’s second-richest race, also on dirt, at Meydan just five weeks later on March 27.
But those hoping his victory over U.S. star Charlatan in Riyadh could have signalled the start of a bold campaign on dirt, possibly taking in some of the great races for older horses in the United States, will have been disappointed by the news this week that the son of Make Believe will indeed head for Dubai next – but for the G1 Sheema Classic over a mile and a half on turf rather than the World Cup itself.
The 4-year-old’s trainer, John Gosden, told the Racing Post on Wednesday, “This morning we’ve accepted an invitation for Mishriff to run in the Dubai Sheema Classic. He’s a versatile horse and we’ve always wanted to try him over this trip of a mile and a half.
“This will then give him plenty of time for a break before tackling Royal Ascot in June and the Eclipse Stakes at Sandown the following month.”
So a turf campaign beckons for Saudi Prince Faisal’s colt, who won the Prix du Jockey Club (French Derby) over 10½ furlongs at Chantilly last year over the longest trip he has so far undertaken.
With the absence of Mishriff, meanwhile, the line-up for the Dubai showpiece is looking decidedly threadbare, with no big-name runner expected to take part.
Stallion career
Current favourite with British bookmakers is the Godolphin-owned 4-year-old Mystic Guide, winner of the G2 Jim Dandy at Saratoga last summer. The Michael Stidham-trained son of Ghostzapper returned last Saturday with an impressive 6-length victory in the G3 Razorback Handicap at Oaklawn Park.
In the meantime, Prince Faisal’s racing manager, Ted Voute, has announced that any stallion deals for Mishriff will be put “on the back burner”.
Voute conceded that there had “obviously had a few inquiries into his stallion rights” but the Prince wants to “enjoy Mishriff’s racing career” and he “doesn't want to think about decisions around a stud career just yet”. He added that he has “two young sons who he’s trying to encourage to get into the sport to continue something that he loves”.
Voute believes that this adaptability could “possibly see him standing in America or in Japan”, adding that he could be a “truly international horse who can sire runners everywhere”.