5 July 2020
Photo scoopdyga.com
Sunday, July 5, 2020, Chantilly. - Trained in England by John Gosden for the Saudi prince Faisal, Mishriff (Make Believe) won the 180th Prix du Jockey Club (Gr1) a good length in front of a brave The Summit (Wootton Bassett) and the favourite Victor Ludorum (Shamardal), who got off to a bad start.
The race was led by Order of Australia (Australia), joined by Océan Atlantique (American Pharoah) and Gold Trip (Outship), who also had a bad start. Going into the straight, the lead horses tried to resist and if The Summit proved to be the bravest of these, he could not ultimately resist the finish of Mishriff, whom Ioritz Mendizabal had steered within the field and who arose one furlong out to take over and make a decisive move. Yet he interfered with Pao Alto (Intello), who finished well sixth, which triggered a stewards inquiry. The winning rider got a 4-day ban but the result stood.
Outsider Dawn Intello (Intello) stayed on an excellent fourth by the rail ahead of Port Guillaume (Le Havre), who finished well from the rear.
It was a first Prix du Jockey Club for trainer John Gosden, a second for the winning rider Ioritz Mendizabal, who won aboard Vision d'État in 2008.
Mishriff was beaten in his first two outings at 2 over 7 and 8 furlongs, then he won by 10 lengths over 8.5 furlongs, having only run on heavy ground by then. Second in the Saudi Derby in February, he then beat by four lengths then a colt whoo hade won a Listed race afterwards.
Bred in Ireland by his owner's stud farm, Mishriff has a brother, Momkin (Bated Breath), second in the Craven Stakes (Gr3) in 2019 and listed in the next mixed sales at Newmarket. Their brother Orbaan (Invincible Spirit), trained in France, won the Prix de Saint Patrick (L) at Saint-Cloud.
What they said
Ioritz Mendizabal (jockey of Mishriff, 1st)
“I was very flattered to be asked to ride by John Gosden, who is one of the best trainers in the world. He was reasonably confident before the race. He just told me not to interrupt the colt’s action. There was a good pace, which suited him. He picked up the bit by the Chateau for around fifty meters, but then relaxed again. He showed a really strong acceleration in the finish. Simply put, he is a very good horse ! He has stamina, so an attempt in the Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe could be a good idea. I am thinking of my parents in this moment. It’s fantastic to win this race!”
Henri-Alex Pantall (trainer of The Summit, 2nd)
“He’s proved that he stays. He was very tough in the finish and was beaten by a top-class horse. He’s an easy colt to ride and was very relaxed during the race. There are no excuses. We will talk to his owners about where to go next.”
Andreas Schutz (trainer of Dawn Intello, 4th)
“At about the halfway point there wasn’t enough pace and he was a bit keen. Once in the straight, he took some time to get a gap. I’m delighted with his run: he’s a lovely colt and I was sure that he had the ability to run at this level. I have had the race in mind for him for a while, I am delighted that his owner was prepared to run him. I will see how he comes out of the race, but he will probably have a break. He has run very close together, at Deauville then here at Chantilly where he was lucky not to get injured.”
Jean-Bernard Roth, assistant to Jean-Claude Rouget (trainer of Port Guillaume 5th, and Fantastic Spirit, 8th)
“Port Guillaume gave an excellent performance against a top-class field. He’s an immature colt, who has never run in such tough company or in such a large field. He struggled to hold his place in the race and was still very far back coming into the straight. He finished really well to get near the leaders. He stays the trip, which is a good sign for the Autumn when he should be really competitive. The same goes for Fantastic Spirit, who lost nothing in the race.”