Young rider David Egan had to be thrilled to be aboard the highly regarded but somewhat overlooked in the wagering Mishriff for trainer John Gosden in the 2021 Saudi Cup. Faced with beating two heavily backed and accomplished fast favorites from the US in Charlatan and Knicks Go, who were ridden by Mike Smith and Joel Rosario respectively, two of the best money riders in the sport, a heady ride would be required. Young Egan was up to the task and let things play out perfectly in front of him and then let his horse and timing do the rest.
Charlatan took it to Knicks Go early after the Brad Cox trained runner enjoyed relatively easy gate to wire unchallenged trips to win the Breeders’ Cup Mile and Pegasus World Cup. Egan sat back in third and watched the two favorites duel with Knicks Go having to come up the inside under Rosario and take the lead Smith and Charlatan had seized right out of the gate. Mike would have none of it and turned Charlatan loose and he seemed to dispose of Knicks Go with ease and looked on his way to victory. Egan and Mishriff had other plans. Egan had Mishriff out in the middle of the track and had him rolling at Charlatan who was dead game down the lane.
Nearing the wire it became obvious as good as Charlatan was and ran, that he would not be able to hold off the expertly prepared by John Gosden charge of Mishriff which was perfectly timed by David Egan.
Mishriff is owned by Prince AA Faisal.
The second running of The Saudi Cup was run under cooler than usual and somewhat wet conditions at King Abdulaziz Racecourse in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. It had rained pretty hard earlier in the day and several jockeys commented it tightened up the track.
Past the Wire Staff
Photo: Nikki Samolovitch
