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Top American jockey Flavien Prat has been engaged to partner French challenger Facteur Cheval in the Gr.1 Prince of Wales's Stakes at Royal Ascot on June 18. The French-born rider, who has been based in America since 2015, will take the reins on the 6YO for the first time in the feature race on the second day of the royal meeting.
Trained by Jerome Reynier, Facteur Cheval will be making his fourth appearance at the Berkshire venue. The gelding has finished runner-up in the Gr.1 Queen Elizabeth II Stakes in both 2023 and 2024, while also finishing sixth behind Charyn in last year's Gr.1 Queen Anne Stakes.
Team Valor International, who jointly own last year's Gr.1 Dubai Turf winner with Gary Barber, has secured the services of Prat, who claimed his first Eclipse Award as outstanding jockey for the 2024 season. The pilot recently struck aboard King of Gosford in the Gr.1 Shoemaker Mile Stakes at Santa Anita Park on May 26.
"He's as brilliant a turf rider as any of us have ever seen over here," said Team Valor International chief Barry Irwin. "The history of the sport is replete with instances of US riders invading Britain and riding brilliantly, even on a course as tricky as Epsom in its biggest race, the Derby. Bill Shoemaker came within a head of holding off Shirley Heights to win the Derby, leading every step of the way until the last couple of strides. Six years earlier, Braulio Baeza ended unbeaten Brigadier Gerard's streak by winning the Gold Cup aboard Roberto. 'The Shoe' and Baeza are all-time great riders, and so is Flavien."
Facteur Cheval, who finished sixth in this year's Dubai Turf at Meydan on April 5, will be stepping up to a mile and a half for the first time in the US$1.6 million event.
Prat is expected to ride at the royal meeting before partnering Facteur Cheval, with a possible booking being Queen Anne Stakes contender Carl Spackler, whom he rode to victory in the Gr.1 Maker's Mark Mile Stakes at Keeneland on April 11. Yulong Investments purchased the multiple Group One winner Carl Spackler in a transaction announced on May 26.