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Prince Faisal had ten million reasons to celebrate following the Saudi Cup in Riyadh after his homebred star Mishriff added the world's richest race to a record that already included the Prix du Jockey Club and the Prix Guillaume d'Ornano.
The story contained within Mishriff's pedigree encapsulates an approach to racing and breeding that has brought the Prince untold success over the past four decades. The four-year-old hails from his signature family, tracing back to Eljazzi, who was purchased for 92,000gns at the Tattersalls Houghton Sale and has since founded a dynasty.
The daughter of Artaius bred the influential Rafha, winner of the Prix de Diane and dam of Invincible Spirit and Kodiac - both of whom carried the Prince's colors before embarking on highly successful stallion careers. Also among Rafha's 11 winning offspring was Princess Royal Stakes scorer Acts Of Grace, who in turn produced Mishriff's dam Contradict.
The impact that Mishriff's human namesake had on the Prince resonates much deeper than the naming of his current star, however, with Voute explaining how those formative experiences in Saudi Arabia are still reflected in the Prince's approach to breeding to this day.
Although Mishriff's success in the Saudi Cup, which paid $10 million to the winner, is another high point for a family with a rich history, Voute says the dam, Contradict, has not enjoyed such good fortune in recent years. Happily, those days appear to be behind her and the daughter of Raven's Pass, who has also bred the stakes performers Orbaan and Momkin, is set for a replication of the mating that yielded Mishriff.