Royal Ascot trainer blasts 'worst ride' from jockey making debut at meeting
A trainer has complained about the 'worst ride' from a top jockey who was making his debut at Royal Ascot. Flavien Prat flew over from America to team up with Facteur Cheval in the £1million Prince of Wales's Stakes on Wednesday.
The 25-1 shot finished sixth of eight behind impressive winner Ombudsman, a horse continuing an excellent week for father and son team John and Thady Gosden.
While there were celebrations for the Newmarket stable, French handler Jerome Reynier was dissatisfied with Prat's effort on Facteur Cheval after the earner of almost £4million of prize money ran out of puff in the straight.
From a midfield position the six-year-old gelding made good headway three furlongs from the finish and held a slight lead before he weakened right out of contention to be beaten eight-and-a-quarter lengths.
The 1m 2f was the furthest distance Facteur Cheval had tried and Reynier claimed Prat, who has ridden 1,995 winners in his home country, gave him little chance.
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The trainer fumed: "He (the horse) has come out of the race well, despite his jockey doing absolutely nothing to help him. I think it was perhaps the worst ride given to one of my horses since I became a trainer.
"In a race with loads of pace, he elected to lead the chase (behind pacemaker Continuous). He was the first to commit on the turn for home and launched his attack three wide with no cover and too far out."
Before the race Prat was described "as brilliant a turf rider as any of us have ever seen over here" by Team Valor International chief Barry Irwin, who own the 2024 Meydan Dubai Turf hero with Gary Barber.
Facteur Cheval picked up just over £14,000 for connections in a race which had top three prizes of £599,708, £227,362.50 and £113,787.
Via the Racing Post, Reynier added: "Flavien thought he was at Santa Anita or Del Mar where they have short straights and the tracks are flat.
"And I don't think it was a judicious move to use a jockey who rides in that style. It was just a terrible ride."
Born in France, Prat has lived in America since 2015, where he has ridden top horses like Breeders Cup Classic hero Flightline and Hot Rod Charlie, the winner of the Pennsylvania Derby.
He took another ride for George Weaver's US stable after partnering Facteur Cheval, when Tough Critic finished 11th of the 23 that set out in the Windsor Castle Stakes won by Eve Johnson Houghton-saddled Havana Hurricane.
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