Mishriff’s Juddmonte victory a contender for performance of season
Mishriff provided the perfect riposte to those who doubted he could win a Group One without first taking a long-haul flight when he turned yesterday’s Juddmonte International, on the Knavesmire, into a one-horse race, winning by six lengths.
From the three pole, when he cruised to the front under David Egan, there was only one race – for second. For the record, that was won by Alenquer, with Love, possibly not in the form her life at the moment, in third. Alcohol Free, the Sussex Stakes winner, was sixth of the seven runners.
There have been some major feats at the top level this summer – Snowfall’s Oaks, Adayar’s King George, St Mark’s Basilica’s Eclipse (Mishriff was placed in the latter two races) but this, on the right ground over the right trip, was up there with them as a contender for the performance of the season.
In the weighing room the effects may be longer term and could propel Egan, 22, whose first domestic Group One winner it was, into the big time. A nephew of former champion Richard Hughes and son of John Egan, he is certainly bred for the job.
“I couldn’t believe how well I was going three out,” said the engaging young jockey. “Getting into a rhythm was the key. I was so comfortable when he went to the front. I know it’s a long way out, but he took me and went a furlong still on the bridle. He’s going to make my career and I’m so thrilled to do it on UK soil. This is my best day on a racetrack.”
Mishriff ’s earnings after winning the Saudi Cup on dirt, the Dubai Sheema Classic and last year’s French Derby now stand at £11million, and his campaign will continue to revolve around big-money races; the Arc unless it is soft, the Breeders’ Cup and the Japan Cup.
“His first run back, he’d been freshened since his winter campaign and he was a little full of himself and got tired in the last furlong,” said trainer John Gosden. “He ran a great race in the King George, but it put him spot on for today. Good ground over a stiff mile and a quarter is perfect for him.
“He’s had this strange year. He raced in a truncated season last year, then he raced in the winter and we gave him a holiday. Now he’s run in the middle of summer. I’ve got to take a pull with him and freshen him again through September. He’s having to run in these segments, if you like, with little holidays in between.”
Royal Patronage, the 25-1 outsider of five runners, showed no respect for reputation when making all under Jason Hart to win the Tattersalls Acomb Stakes from some well-touted rivals.
“I was starting to get cold feet because of the hype around the others,” admitted Mark Johnston, his trainer. “I can accept he was the most exposed horse in the race but, after two defeats, we saw at Epsom what we thought of him all along. With hindsight it’s no surprise.”
Likewise Yabir, a gelding and therefore ineligible for the St Leger, came home strongest in the Sky Bet Great Voltigeur. High Definition, the winter Derby favourite, added to his string of subsequent disappointments by trailing in sixth, despite being sent off favourite.