Happy Egan’s Mish-ion now accomplished
HAVING banked a king’s ransom following his global successes with Mishriff, David Egan confessed to having his “best day on a racetrack” when partnering the colt to a flawless victory in yesterday’s Juddmonte International at York.
Egan was in Mishriff’s saddle when landing the world’s richest race, the $20million Saudi Cup in February, and while yesterday’s purse was considerably less – £1 million – prize money was forgotten.
“This is my best day on a racetrack,” Egan said. “He’s a real champion, I think he’s getting better this season.
“He means everything to me, he’s going to make my career, hopefully.
“I’m so thrilled as he’s now done it on UK soil as he’s done it everywhere else.
“Winning the Juddmonte – it’s stuff I’ve dreamt of my whole life.
“The Saudi Cup and the Sheema Classic were fantastic – and to win a Group One in the UK, especially the Juddmonte International with the Saudi Arabian connection for Prince Faisal, it’s very, very special.”
With victories in France, Saudi Arabia and Dubai, Mishriff reserved his best for home soil when demolishing his rivals by a comfortable six lengths.
Alenquer tenaciously gave chase in second place, with Love finishing a leg-weary third.
John Gosden, below, the winning trainer who was adding to his success in the race with Roaring Lion in 2018, said: “I think he’s right up there with the best I’ve trained.
“To win over a mile and a furlong on the dirt (in the Saudi Cup) and beat the Americans and then come here and do this, he’s a super horse. I think we’ve now seen the finished article.
“He also won a Sheema Classic
against a Japanese champion, he’s phenomenal. “He’s versatile, but this is probably his best distance and arguably perfect ground on the Knavesmire, right up his street.”
As for the future Gosden added: “I would be inclined to look towards the Arc and Champions Day, and I would not be ruling out the Breeders’ Cup either.”
Mishriff’s victory paid a compliment to the absent St Mark’s Basilica, who beat him in the CoralEclipse, but on yesterday’s evidence you would not be confident about him doing so again.
Last year’s Juddemonte was voted the best race in the world. On yesterday’s evidence, that accolade could well be repeated.