Mishriff staved off talk of retirement – for the moment, at least – with a gallant second to Baaeed in the Juddmonte International.
Connections had considered making the John and Thady Gosden-trained five-year-old’s title defence his final appearance on a racecourse. But Mishriff could yet have one more run before taking up stallion duties, with the Irish Champion Stakes at Leopardstown on September 10 the most likely option. Ted Voute, racing manager to Mishriff’s owner, Saudi Prince AA Faisal, said: “I know the Prince was erring towards retirement and looking at a stud career.
“He won’t be in training next year, but whether we have another run this year, it’s up to the Prince and John.”
The Irish Champion Stakes and the Ascot’s Champion Stakes on October 15 are viable alternatives for Mishriff’s swansong, and Voute added: “It would be nice to go out on a win.
“We haven’t been that successful at Ascot – we’ve been third, third and second there – but he’s in the Irish Champion, and I like left-handed.”
Mishriff compromised his chance with a sluggish start when a neck second to Vadeni in the Coral-Eclipse at Sandown Park two starts ago, and ruined it altogether when crawling from the stalls in the King George VI And Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Ascot – in which he came home an 11-length third to Pyledriver – last time out.
James Doyle’s mount, the highest earner in the history of British racing, got away on terms this time and led over a quarter mile from home before being collared by six-and-a-half-length victor Baaeed on the run to the final furlong.
“He never turned a hair and he jumped as good as he’s jumped,” added Voute.
“He’s not a monkey – he looks as genuine as anything.”
