Multiple Group 1-winning duo Mishriff (Ire) (Make Believe {GB}) and Nashwa (GB) (Frankel {Ire}) pleased co-trainers John and Thady Gosden in their final gallops on Friday ahead of the Breeders' Cup at Keeneland. Racing in the colours of Prince Faisal and Imad Al Sagar, respectively, the pair are part of a 23-strong British contingent that is making the trip to Kentucky on Saturday for the two-day meeting on Nov. 4 and 5.
The 5-year-old entire, who will stand under the Sumbe banner at Haras de Montfort et Preaux in France after his GI Breeders' Cup Turf bid, has won Group 1s is France, the UAE and the UK, as well as the first edition of the $20-million Saudi Cup. From six runs this season, he's placed in the G1 Eclipse S., G1 King George VI And Queen Elizabeth S., and G1 Juddmonte International S. Fourth in the G1 Irish Champion S. at Leopardstown in September, Mishriff was unplaced in very soft ground in the G1 Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe.
“You have to have the horse that can travel, that has the mind and the strength for it, and that versatility of distance and surface, and he's certainly managed to do that,” Gosden reflected. “When you have a horse who can handle those variations, it's fine.”
After several tardy breaks this season, the Clarehaven team had worked with Mishriff on the issue and Gosden said, “He broke well in his last start, he was very good, and the one before, the Juddmonte International. So he has been much better at that and we actually jumped him out yesterday and he was very much on the ball and broke well, so hopefully he's put that well behind him.”
Nashwa has yet to be off the board in seven starts under Hollie Doyle, and sports victories in the G1 Prix de Diane and G1 Nassau S. after running third in the G1 Oaks this term. She was a narrow second in the G1 Prix de l'Opera at ParisLongchamp on Oct. 2 when last seen. She holds an entry for the GI Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf.
John Gosden said, “She's a very strong filly for a 3-year-old. Three-years'-old often is early enough to be going to a Breeders' Cup, but as you saw today, she's up for it, she's strong, a very purposeful filly.
“We've planned since the Nassau S. at Goodwood to go for the Opera and then the Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf. It's a mile and three sixteenths this year, we would prefer it if it were a mile and a quarter but that's the layout of the track. If she breaks well and gets a nice position, she'll run a big race.”
If either of the Gosdens' pair prevail, it would be the elder's fifth Breeders' Cup victory, and his son's first.
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