Mishriff still in running for Breeders' Cup Turf
Mishriff remains a candidate for the Breeders’ Cup Turf at Del Mar on Nov. 6 despite finishing fourth in the Group 1 Champion Stakes at Ascot Racecourse in England on Saturday.
Trainer John Gosden said on Monday that Mishriff was not suited to the good-to-soft turf course at Ascot.
“He didn’t like it,” Gosden said. “They got a little bit of rain that morning.”
Gosden said the 4-year-old Mishriff will be assessed in advance of a pre-entry deadline next Monday.
Mishriff was beaten 3 1/4 lengths by winner Sealiway in the $1.7 million Champion Stakes at 1 1/4 miles. Earlier this year, Mishriff won the Group 1 Saudi Cup on dirt in Saudi Arabia in February, the Group 1 Sheema Classic at 1 1/2 miles on turf in Dubai in March, and the Group 1 Juddmonte International Stakes at 1 5/16 miles on turf at York Racecourse in England in August.
Mishriff earned a fees-paid berth to the BC Turf with the win at York.
Owned by Abdul Rahman al Faisal of Saudi Arabia, Mishriff is rated as one of Europe’s leading chances for the BC Turf, which is run at 1 1/2 miles.