Facteur Cheval is giving another shot at the Sussex Stakes

After a disappointing outing at Royal Ascot, Facteur Cheval is gearing up for another shot at the Sussex Stakes. The five-year-old finished second at Goodwood last year and showed promise with placed efforts in Group One races. He finally secured a top-level victory in the Dubai Turf at Meydan in March.

However, his hopes of success in the Queen Anne Stakes were dashed when he finished a well-beaten sixth after a tough race following his pacesetting compatriot. Trainer Jerome Reynier acknowledged that the tactics did not work for Facteur Cheval, who needs another horse to rely on during races.

Despite a shoe mishap and a disappointing result at Ascot, Reynier plans to take Facteur Cheval back to Goodwood due to his previous success there, especially on soft ground. Meanwhile, Reynier's other runner Darlinghurst finished last in the St James’s Palace Stakes, but the trainer believes the three-year-old has potential and plans to race him wearing a tongue-tie in the Prix Daphnis at Deauville.