Prince Faisal's Group 1 winner Mishriff (Ire) (Make Believe {GB}), who took the $20-million Saudi Cup last February, touched down safely in Riyadh on Monday and is ready to defend his title, according to co-trainer Thady Gosden, who trains with his father, John. The race, promoted to Group 1 status for the first time in 2022, anchors the two-day Saudi Cup Meeting and will take place on Saturday. If the 2020 G1 Prix du Jockey Club and 2021 G1 Dubai Sheema Classic victor wins the 1800-metre dirt race, he would become the richest racehorse in the history of the sport. A six-length winner of the G1 Juddmonte International S. last August, the 5-year-old entire reported home fourth in the G1 QIPCO Champion S. at Ascot on Oct. 16.
Thady Gosden, who is also overseeing the Group 3-placed Harrovian (GB) (Leroidesanimaux {Brz}) in Saudi, said, “He landed this morning. The weather is nice and cool enough out here at the moment and he seems well in himself.
“We also have Harrovian in the Neom Cup. He's travelled well too, he ran well behind Pyledriver (GB) (Harbour Watch {Ire}) at Lingfield last time and he's a horse who has always had plenty of ability.”
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