Top United States jockey Flavien Prat has been snapped up to partner French raider Facteur Cheval in the Prince of Wales's Stakes (G1) at Royal Ascot June 18.
The French-born rider, who has been based in the U.S. since 2015, will ride the 6-year-old for the first time when he lines up in the feature race on the second day of the royal meeting.
Trained by Jerome Reynier, Facteur Cheval will make his fourth appearance at Ascot. He finished second in the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes (G1) in 2023 and 2024, and sixth behind Charyn in last year's Queen Anne Stakes (G1).
Team Valor International, who jointly own last year's Dubai Turf (G1T) winner with Gary Barber, has secured the services of Prat, who won his first Eclipse Award as outstanding jockey for the 2024 season and May 26 struck on King of Gosford in the Shoemaker Mile Stakes (G1T) at Santa Anita Park.
"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 U.S. 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 Benson & Hedges Gold Cup aboard Roberto. 'The Shoe' and Baeza are all-time great riders, and so is Flavien."
Prat is expected to ride at the royal meeting before partnering Facteur Cheval, and a possible booking for him is Queen Anne Stakes contender Carl Spackler, whom he rode to win the April 11 Maker's Mark Mile Stakes (G1) at Keeneland. Yulong Investments purchased the multiple grade 1 winner Carl Spackler in a transaction announced May 26.
Facteur Cheval, who finished sixth in this year's Dubai Turf at Meydan Racecourse April 5, will step up to a mile and a half for the first time in the £1 million event.
