Mishriff: the globetrotting superstar with the potential to shape the breed

In my column in Friday's Racing Post, I spoke about how geldings can shape the breed and how, rightly or wrongly, not all successful stallions reach dizzying heights on the track.

It prompted me to ask myself what sort of horses we should aspire to send to stud, even if in reality it is unlikely to happen.

A horse like Coral-Eclipse-bound Mishriff would already be towards the top of this list.

Successful at two, he was a Classic winner at three and Group 1 winner at four. He has won ground varying from fast dirt to good to firm and heavy on turf. He has won over a mile, 1m2f and 1m4f.

Not only does he carry the same silks as Prince Faisal's breed-shaping sprinters Invincible Spirit and Kodiac, but they feature in his pedigree too, while black-type performers Momkin and Orbaan are more immediately visible.

You don't need to be an avid follower of international racing to appreciate what Mishriff has achieved, but it certainly helps.

Whether it be in Britain, France, Saudi Arabia or Dubai, the four-year-old has shown he has an excellent constitution by travelling, and crucially has been able to adapt to a range of different circumstances when he arrives at his destination.

Mishriff: won the Dubai Sheema Classic on his most recent start - and the form has worked out wellCredit: Getty Images

Let's analyse his Sheema Classic victory in more detail.

He broke from the widest stall before settling beautifully under David Egan towards the tail of the field. The pace slackened towards the middle part of the race and at the final bend he found himself last and out wide.

Mishriff used up extra petrol to circle the field and challenged into the quickening pace towards the centre of the track. Accelerating alongside the two Japanese mares, the colt responded grittily to his rider in the closing stages, bowing his head to score by a neck.

To unpack the form, the third-placed horse, 2018 Japanese Oaks winner Loves Only You, won the QEII Cup on her next start at Sha Tin in April, beating 2019 Hong Kong Vase winner Glory Vase and last year's Japanese Guineas and Oaks winner Daring Tact.

Maddy Playle: why we have to let geldings run in all of our best races (Members' Club)

Only on Sunday did the second-placed Chrono Genesis return to the track, running down the pacesetters to come home a comfortable winner of the Group 1 Takarazuka Kinen. Connections have since indicated she will take her chance in the Arc at Longchamp in October.

Ultimately, Mishriff has already established himself as one of the most uniquely talented horses the world of racing has seen in many years.

If on Saturday he adds a Coral-Eclipse to his list of achievements we could be talking about a horse who has what it takes to become a modern-day great.

He represents so many brilliant things about racing: a super pedigree, astounding versatility, an iron will to win and global appeal.

I hope he can rise to this challenge in the same way he has done to all of the others. It is of course impossible to say, but a new future for bloodstock might just depend on it.

Inspiral makes bold impression

There have been several quietly impressive performances over the last couple of weeks and I think it could pay to follow a number of horses.

Let's start with Baaeed, who defied a penalty to make it two wins from two starts on July 19.

He comes from an excellent Shadwell family as a brother to Hukum, with Nashwan featuring further back in his pedigree.

Middle-distance influences are rife on his page so the fact he was able to explode away from some useful rivals over a mile on the July course is very promising indeed.

He doesn't boast any future entries but received a Racing Post Rating of 108 for his latest bloodless success and is likely to be a short price wherever he turns up next.

Next on the list is Daneh, the juvenile filly who made a successful debut at Kempton on Wednesday evening.

Out of multiple Group 1 winner Rizeena, who has already produced a smart colt in Latest Generation, this daughter of Dubawi could easily be quite a bit better.

Rizeena: has produced two winners as a broodmare alreadyCredit: Edward Whitaker

She is in excellent hands with Simon and Ed Crisford and shouldn't have an issue getting a mile in time given how she quickened away from her field and sustained her run on the all-weather. Don't be surprised if she pops up in races like the May Hill and Fillies' Mile down the line.

Churchill went to stud with a towering reputation and I'd expect to see improvement from many of his sons and daughters as we approach the autumn.

Encountered looks like he could be among his best two-year-olds and he bolted up on his second start at Doncaster on Friday.

He has a slightly high head carriage but that didn't prevent him from making a big impression under Daniel Muscutt, making all and clearing away from horses like Implore and Mount Snowdon, who set a decent standard.

Finally, I was really charmed by another debutante on Saturday in the Cheveley Park Stud-owned Inspiral, again at the July course.

She looked very relaxed for a daughter of Frankel – her dam, Starscope, was second in the 2012 1,000 Guineas – and warmed into the race nicely after dwelling at the start.

She looked set for second in the final furlong but really motored when she hit the rising ground and eventually won comfortably by a length and a half.

Connections are reportedly going to take small steps for now but I have no doubt she has the ability to make up into a classy three-year-old, particularly considering her sire's growing reputation with his middle-distance progeny.

Read more on the Coral-Eclipse:

Tom Marquand: top-class Eclipse will be a proper challenge for Addeybb

Small field 'not uncommon' for Eclipse as Sandown addresses lack of runners (Members' Club)

'I just find it stupid' – David Menuisier hits out over Coral-Eclipse line-up

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