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Ferguson's Group One breakthrough breeds confidence for Mise En Scene

3 minute read

Saint-Cloud success is timely as thoughts turn to Breeders’ Cup.

EL BODEGON winning the CRITERIUM DE SAINT-CLOUD
EL BODEGON winning the CRITERIUM DE SAINT-CLOUD Picture: Pat Healy Photography

James Ferguson's Breeders' Cup ambitions have been dealt a massive boost as El Bodegon delivered the stable's first Group One success in the Criterium de Saint-Cloud.

Having secured that career breakthrough in France, the Newmarket trainer's attention turns to the US – where he will have a chance to hit another milestone with Mise En Scene in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies' Turf.

Mise En Scene , owned by Qatar Racing, has won two of her three starts, including the Group Three Prestige Stakes at Goodwood in August – after which she finished fourth in the Fillies' Mile at Newmarket.

"El Bodegon's victory hasn't really changed my view of Mise En Scene," said Ferguson.

"I've always had confidence in her as far as the Breeders' Cup is concerned.

"But winning a Group One is great for me and great for my career, and has also given the yard a massive boost of confidence and enthusiasm. They all work incredibly hard.

"The Breeders' Cup has been a plan of Sheikh Fahad's and ours since the Prestige Stakes – and as long as she came out of the Fillies' Mile OK, that was going to be our plan. Fingers crossed, she has so we can get her there."

Oisin Murphy, who had to miss the Fillies' Mile having been stood down for the day after failing a breathalyser test, is set to reclaim the ride in Del Mar – where Ferguson, the son of former Godolphin chief executive and trainer John Ferguson, will be attending his first Breeders' Cup.

"I've never been to a Breeders' Cup, so it is going to be an amazing experience," he said.

"I think Mise En Scene is a super filly. I've never hidden the fact that I think she is going to be a nicer horse next year than this year.

"In my mind, whatever happens to her as a two-year-old is a bonus. The track is obviously very difficult, and we will need a lot of luck in running, but if she gets her luck I think she will run very well."


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