David Egan will not be feeling the stress forward of his $20 million Saudi Cup title try on Saturday with John and Teddy Gosden educated by five-year-old Musharraf.
A superb 2023 noticed the duo mix in three Group One races, together with the Gudmonte worldwide success at York and the glory of the Cheema Traditional at Meydan.
After final 12 months’s victory on this planet’s richest race, Egan and Musharraf loved additional success within the huge race on the Longines Dubai Chema Traditional, which propelled the 22-year-old rider into the highlight in worldwide racing.
Mishriff wins Juddmonte Worldwide in York underneath David Egan
“I had a terrific 12 months. I left right here and got here again to Bahrain for 2 weeks earlier than going to Dubai the place Musharraf gained once more and I used to be simply on prime of the wave.
“After that I went again to England and had season there. Mishriff’s victory within the Gudmonte Worldwide Stakes was the spotlight after which I had winter season with Fouzy Nas.
“If Musharraf was solely the third candidate in renewing the Saudi Cup final 12 months, it’s a completely different state of affairs this 12 months, however Egan will not be feeling the stress but.
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Jockey David Egan says he’s assured of creating an enormous lead from Mishriff within the Saudi Cup on Saturday, however admits the race is extensive open this 12 months.
“There was some stress once we went to Dubai final 12 months,” he admits.
“He solely gained in Saudi three weeks in the past and I believe it is just like that. Final 12 months when he got here to Riyadh we have been simply going out to attempt to end the race as greatest we will.
“Clearly the 2 American horses have been the fantasy runners and he was form of of their shadow. The truth that he gained, and the truth that he is the defending champion, goes to take extra stress.
“On the similar time, it will not have an effect on me as soon as I am on responsibility. I will not journey it otherwise. I may need a busier week than final 12 months with media calls, however for a supervisor every little thing stays the identical.”
Mishriff is operating after dropping three lengths to French striker Sealiway on the British Champion Stakes in Ascot final October, however whereas Egan stays emotional concerning the end result of that race, he explains: “It has been two years since issues have not gone his approach within the Champion Stakes.
“Perhaps the land is likely one of the points. Yearly he goes there, the land is to not his liking. And he is had an extended season and he is had some robust fights with Adayar, when it gave him blocks of weight.
“This isn’t simply his race, nevertheless it takes nothing away from him. He is a superb horse, he had some nice races final 12 months and hopefully we will draw a line by means of the Champion Stakes like he did final 12 months and win the Saudi Cup.”
In 2023, Josden and Egan deliberate the assault on the world’s richest race in nice element and got here up with a technique that labored to perfection. However this 12 months, it would not look that straightforward.
“Final 12 months’s race was far more deliberate than this 12 months’s,” Egan asserts.
“I form of knew precisely what was going to occur to American horses. There have been Knicks Gu and Charlatans, two horses who have been entrance runners and have been at all times going to be up in opposition to one another.
“And I’d at all times sit of their home or attempt to get there as Musharraf was drawn extensive.
“Perhaps this 12 months, it may be a little bit extra tactical. Who is aware of, the draw is an enormous think about what is going on to occur.
“Mr Gosden wished a large draw final 12 months in case he did not leap as quick as we’d have favored, however every little thing went nicely and easily and I hope one thing comparable will occur this 12 months.”
