Sajir Prix Maurice de Gheest Win Marks Stunning Return
Deauville witnessed a moment of racing brilliance on Sunday as Sajir (IRE), the home-bred sprinter owned by HRH Prince Abdulrahman Al Faisal, stormed to a near two-length victory in the prestigious Prix Maurice de Gheest (G1). Ridden with precision by Oisin Murphy and trained by legendary Andre Fabre, the four-year-old’s triumph marked a significant milestone for both horse and owner.
For Prince Faisal, the win was a return to the top tier, his first Group 1 victory since the Saudi Cup hero Mishriff claimed the 2021 Champion Stakes at Ascot. This latest success confirmed Sajir’s emergence as a genuine elite-level sprinter.
“I am still numb but very thrilled. My boys were here and they all enjoyed it, and that was the biggest thrill,” Prince Faisal said. “The horse finally showed what he can do. I always knew he needed good, firm ground and he got it.”
A Sprinter with Staying Touch
Prince Faisal has long believed in Sajir’s speed, describing him as “a sprinter who can stay seven furlongs”. The victory over 1400m at Deauville backed up that belief and showcased the colt’s acceleration and tactical maturity.
Sajir’s pedigree also adds weight to his future as a stallion prospect. He is by Make Believe, the 2015 Poule d’Essai des Poulains (French 2000 Guineas) winner, whose stud record includes a number of high-class performers. Make Believe currently stands at Ballylinch Stud in Ireland, while Mishriff is based at Montfort et Préaux in France.
Breeding Future in Focus
While immediate racing targets for Sajir remain undecided, Prince Faisal is already considering his long-term stallion career.
“It’s too early to decide where he runs next,” he said. “I’ll talk with Andre and Oisin in a week or so. It doesn’t matter too much where he goes because he has shown me what I needed to know.”
The Prince’s passion for breeding was evident as he discussed Make Believe’s influence:
“I sent five mares to him and three produced black-type winners. I’d like Sajir to stand somewhere outside France and Ireland—maybe England. I don’t want him standing in France next to his half-brother, but I love racing in all three countries.”
A Winning Partnership
Prince Faisal’s collaboration with Andre Fabre stretches back decades, but this year marked his first with Oisin Murphy in the saddle.
“Andre can train anything, and I’m glad he’s had this success with a sprinter,” the Prince noted. “Oisin is brilliant—knowledgeable, stylish, and a joy to work with.”
For Murphy, the win was another major milestone in his decorated career, while Fabre added yet another Group 1 to his already glittering résumé.
From Saudi Cup to Deauville Glory
This Group 1 victory has particular resonance for the Saudi owner-breeder. Sajir’s triumph connects directly to the legacy of Mishriff, his Saudi Cup winner, as both share the same sire line and a capacity to deliver at the very highest level.
As Sajir’s career unfolds, the racing world will watch with interest—both for his next target on the track and his eventual influence in the breeding shed.
Sajir Prix Maurice de Gheest Win Marks New Era for Prince Faisal
With Group 1 credentials now firmly in place, Sajir’s future—whether in Europe’s top sprints or as a stallion—appears rich with promise. For HRH Prince Abdulrahman Al Faisal, this Deauville success is not only a personal triumph but also a reaffirmation of his long-standing commitment to producing elite Thoroughbreds.
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Learn more about the Prix Maurice de Gheest on the France Galop website.
