'All roads lead there' - Mishriff back on the Saudi Cup trail

Mishriff has started to build up to his attempt to land the world's richest race, next month’s Saudi Cup, for a second successive year.

The 1m1f dirt contest has a purse of $20 million (£14,819,100/€17,722,700) and this time around, for its third running, it has Group 1 status for the first time.

A year ago it was the race that gave jockey David Egan his first taste of the big time when the John and Thady Gosden-trained colt ran down US rival Charlatan.

Mishriff and Egan then went on to enjoy Group 1 glory in the Dubai Sheema Classic and the Juddmonte International at York, finishing off with a fourth place in the Group 1 Champion Stakes at Ascot last October.

With a Breeders’ Cup tilt decided against, Mishriff was put into winter quarters at Clarehaven Stables in Newmarket, from where he has recently emerged to begin preparations for a return to Riyadh on February 26.

John Gosden said: “Mishriff has done well over winter as you would expect as he’s a five-year-old and he’s thickened out again. He’s been back out cantering on Warren Hill for the past few days and we are slowly building him up for another crack at the Saudi Cup.”

Mishriff: back as a five-year-old to bid for a second Saudi CupCredit: Edward Whitaker

He added: “It was a great win in Riyadh a year ago, which was obviously a great thrill to his Saudi owner Prince Faisal, and hopefully all roads lead back there next month.”

Mishriff is a 4-1 chance for a repeat behind the US-trained Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile winner Life Is Good, at 7-2.

Mishriff may have company on his return mission next month as his stablemate Lord North is being primed to tackle the Group 3 Neom Cup on the same card, a contest that this year has had its purse raised by $500,000 to $1.5m (£1,111,433/€1,329,203).

Lord North won the Group 1 Dubai Turf at Meydan last March but missed the rest of the season with issues.

Gosden said: “Hopefully Lord North can join Mishriff in Saudi Arabia and he’s in good shape.”

Mishriff's sensational 2021:

Mishriff takes Riyadh riches in Saudi Cup for Gosden and Egan

Magnificent Mishriff silences stamina doubters with stunning Sheema Classic win

'This is my best day on track' - Mishriff masterclass a thrill for David Egan

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