HRH Prince Abdulrahman Al Faisal speaks of Group 1 glory

Saudi Cup-winning owner delighted with Deaville victory

Image:Mishriff wins the Saudi Cup 2021. Credit JCSA //Douglas DeFelice

HRH Prince Abdulrahman Al Faisal has spoken of the joy that home-bred Sajir (IRE) provided when landing the Saudi Cup-winning owner a welcome Group 1 success in Sunday’s Prix Maurice de Gheest at Deauville.

The near two-length strike was a coming of age for his four-year-old who was delivered to victory by jockey, Oisin Murphy for the 32-times French champion trainer Andre Fabre.

“I am still numb but I was very thrilled. My boys were here and they all also enjoyed it and that was the biggest thrill,” said Prince Faisal.

“The horse finally showed what he can do. I always knew the horse needed good, firm ground and he got it and showed what he can do.

“I have always thought this horse was a sprinter. Maybe a sprinter who stays seven furlongs (1400m) but always a sprinter,”

The win was first at the top level for the Prince since his Saudi Cup winner, Mishriff won the 2021 Champion Stakes at Ascot.

And the lineage continues with Sajir also being by Make Believe, winner of 2000 Guineas in France some 10 years ago.

Future targets have yet to be decided with Sajir having proved himself at the top level, and Prince Faisal is already contemplating his future as a stallion, with Make Believe currently standing at Ballylinch Stud in Ireland and Mishriff at Montfort et Preaux in France.

“I don’t know, it is a bit too early to even think about when he goes next” Prince Faisal told the Nick Luck Daily podcast. “I will have to wait a week or so and talk to Andre and Oisin and see what happens.

“It doesn’t matter too much where he goes as the horse has shown me what he can do and that is all I wanted to know.

“I enjoy breeding more than racing. Make Believe is a good horse and nobody gave him a chance. I sent five mares to him and three of them bred me black-type winners. You can’t complain about that.

“I would like Sajir to stand somewhere which is not in France and not in Ireland – maybe in somewhere like England for example.

“We have non by Make Believe here and he is a good stallion. I don’t think he got much of chance to be a good stallion but he proved it.

“I don’t want to stand Sajir in France next to his half brother – that is the only reason as I love France and I love Ireland and I love England – anywhere where there is good racing, but I am thinking about the horse.”

Prince Faisal’s association with Fabre stretches back many years, but he has only recently aligned with four-times UK champion Murphy.

He added: “Andre can train anything and I am glad he won with a sprinter.

“I think the jockey is brilliant and I have only dealt with him this year, and I really enjoy dealing with him. He is very knowledgeable and a beautiful rider and I am grateful to both of them.”

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