Mishriff backed for £1million race as he bids to give David Egan, 22, another huge win

Mishriff is the hot favourite for the Juddmonte International, the feature race on day 1 of York's Ebor Festival. He is a general 7-4 shot to see off six rivals

Even in horse racing, there are some things money can’t buy.

The likes of Frankie Dettori and Ryan Moore would have struggled to match David Egan’s earnings during the first three months of 2021.

The 22-year-old’s bank manager was purring as Egan sent the John Gosden-trained Mishriff past American champion Charlatan to claim the £7.3m first prize for the Saudi Cup at Riyadh in February.

Then there is the winner’s purse of near-£2.2m for the Dubai Sheema Classic at Meydan four weeks later, in which Egan and Mishriff held off Japanese star Chrono Genesis by a neck.

If the jockey isn’t already familiar with the oak-panelled office in the fathoms of his local branch, he very soon will be.

An additional £567,100 awaits the victor in today’s Juddmonte International at York – but what Egan covets can’t be shown on a balance sheet.

“A Group 1 on home soil would be tremendous,” admits Egan, the Kildare-born son of weighing veteran John and former trainer Sandra Hughes.

“It would be very special, and one of my goals to tick off – tremendous for my career, tremendous for Mishriff.

“If you don’t aim high, you don’t shoot high.”

Mishriff, partnered by Frenchman Ioritz Mendizabal to capture the Prix du Jockey Club at Chantilly in 2020, is the well-backed bookies’ favourite to give Egan the first top-level triumph of his flowering career.

Having his first start since scoring in Dubai, the bay colt was a flat third to St Mark’s Basilica, market leader for this afternoon’s feature before his defection on Monday, in the Coral-Eclipse Stakes over a mile and a quarter at Sandown in July.

Love deputises for Aidan O’Brien, but Mishriff had the filly’s measure when the pair took the podium behind Adayar in Ascot’s King George VI And Queen Elizabeth Stakes over an additional two furlongs three weeks on.

“St Mark’s Basilica has been outstanding this season, and we want the best horses going for these big races,” reflects Egan.

“But even without St Mark’s Basilica it’s a very strong field.

“Love is a special filly and is going to give us a good race.

“Although she possibly underperformed in the King George, her previous form is not to be overlooked.”

Three-time Group 1 heroine Alcohol Free, Irish 2,000 Guineas victor Mac Swiney and William Haggas’ Royal Ascot-winning pair Mohaafeth and Alenquer are also in the seven-runner line-up, completed by outsider Juan Elcano.

But Egan is confident the 10-furlong Group 1 will show Mishriff, on whom he wears the silks of his boss, Saudi Prince AA Faisal, in his best light.

“He’s a horse who travels so strongly in his races, and dropping back will only play to his strengths,” he adds.

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“He’s good over any distance, but he stays the mile and a quarter and has a great turn of foot, so I think the trip is 100 per cent ideal for him.

“It was a fantastic run, finishing behind an absolute monster in Adayar, giving him so much weight.

“Everything has gone smoothly with Mishriff and his preparation has been good.

“If he can improve as much as he did from the Eclipse to the King George, he’s going to be very hard to beat.”