Mishriff makes first part of Dettori’s weekend worthwhile

Horse Racing

PA Sport Reporters
August 15, 2020 1:38 pm

French Derby winner sparkles in Deauville sunshine.

Mishriff backed up his French Derby success with a comfortable victory in the Prix Guillaume D’Ornano at Deauville.

The John Gosden-trained colt justified jockey Frankie Dettori’s decision to cross the Channel and miss riding at York next week, as a result of new quarantine regulations regarding travel from France.

Mishriff took on the horses who were second and third behind him in the Prix du Jockey Club in The Summit and Victor Ludorum – but the outcome was more emphatic this time.

Only four went to post for the Group Two contest over a mile and a quarter – worth GBP 135,000 to the winner – following the late defection of Crossfirehurricane, with The Summit setting the early pace until Dream Works took over, with Dettori keeping Mishriff handy.

Big performance! Mishriff and @FrankieDettori power to victory in the Group 2 Prix Guillaume d’Ornano for John Gosden at @fgdeauville… pic.twitter.com/hcfD5qGr4x

— At The Races (@AtTheRaces) August 15, 2020

He moved up to challenge in the straight and Mishriff quickened nicely to put the race to bed.

The 8-11 favourite drew clear to win by four and a half lengths from The Summit, with Victor Ludorum a head away in third.

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Mishriff was cut to 12-1 from 16s for the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe with Paddy Power and Betfair.

Dettori told Sky Sports Racing: “He’s a horse that likes soft ground. He finished his race strong in the Jockey Club, so at the 600 (metres) I said ‘come and catch me if you can’.

“Obviously there were question marks about the Andre Fabre horse (Victor Ludorum) about the distance and the ground, so I made sure it was a true test and he came out on top.

“He’s got to be entered in all the big races – the Champion Stakes, the Arc – everything.

“It’s nice proving he is a very good horse. I think the horse will stay (a mile and a half). At the moment, a mile and a quarter is the perfect distance.

Worth the trip to France so far for @FrankieDettori! ? pic.twitter.com/5HRypnydNP
— At The Races (@AtTheRaces) August 15, 2020

“It’s up to the connections and John Gosden to decide. He’s a horse that has not run much, so there’s a possibility he might stay in training. So far so good, he’s done nothing wrong.”

Dettori reflected on his decision to miss York and ride not only Mishriff, but also Palace Pier in the Prix Jacques le Marois on Sunday – while he confirmed he will stay in France for a week to ride Campanelle for Wesley Ward in the Prix Morny next Sunday.

He said: “Myself and John discussed long and hard. Mishriff won the Jockey Club and Palace Pier won the St James’s Palace Stakes. They are two stable stars and I decided to swallow the quarantine and come here and take my chance. At least half the job is done. Let’s hope we can get the other half done.

“For elite sportsmen they have changed the quarantine rule from 14 to eight days, so I am prolonging my stay in Deauville to ride next weekend. There’s nothing to rush back for at home at the moment and it’s not a bad place to spend a week.

“I think I’ll have some chill out time and there are also some good races on Saturday, so I’m going to keep an eye on the entries and maybe get some rides on Saturday as well.”

One of Dettori’s big rides coming up domestically when he does return will be Enable when she has her prep run for the Arc at Kempton on September 5.