Royal Ascot winner made Economics work for victory at Deauville.
Trainer Brian Meehan is gearing up for a thrilling autumn campaign as he prepares Jayarebe for a high-stakes return to France and plots major moves for his exciting juveniles, Law Of Design and Rashabar. Meehan, with his eye firmly on international success, is leaving no stone unturned as he positions his stars for glory on some of the biggest racing stages in the world.
Jayarebe, a standout performer in Meehan’s stable, was last seen finishing a clear second behind Economics in the Prix Guillaume d'Ornano at Deauville in August, a race that has now proven to be a key formline after Economics went on to claim victory in the prestigious Irish Champion Stakes. The impressive runner-up finish in France has boosted Jayarebe’s profile, and now all roads lead to Arc weekend in Paris, where the talented colt will take on the Prix Dollar, a Group Two contest set to be a major test.
Meehan is clearly excited about Jayarebe’s potential. "The form obviously looks strong, and he's going for the Prix Dollar on Arc weekend," he said. “That race will lead us on to the next step, which could well be the Breeders' Cup Turf, but we’ll take it one race at a time."
With Jayarebe in fine form, Meehan's ambitions are understandably high, and a strong performance in Paris could set him on a path toward the global stage of the Breeders’ Cup, where the world’s best turf horses come together in a battle for supremacy. Jayarebe’s development, from winning the Hampton Court Stakes at Royal Ascot in June to his near-miss in France, shows a colt on the rise, primed for big moments.
While Jayarebe is preparing for his next cross-Channel mission, Meehan is also carefully managing the paths of his two talented juveniles, Law Of Design and Rashabar. Both colts are packed with promise and have already shown flashes of brilliance in their young careers.
Law Of Design, a two-year-old who confirmed the potential seen in his debut third at Newmarket with an impressive victory at Ascot, is now being aimed at the Royal Lodge Stakes on September 28 or the Autumn Stakes on October 12 at Newmarket. These Group-race opportunities will provide the colt with a significant step up in competition as Meehan looks looks to test his mettle against some of the best juveniles in the division.
Meehan is full of praise for Law Of Design's progression: "He’s in great form, and we’ll see how he comes along before deciding between the Royal Lodge or the Autumn Stakes. He’s shown a lot of ability, and these are the kind of races that will tell us where he truly stands among the top two-year-olds."
Meanwhile, Coventry Stakes hero Rashabar, who finished a gutsy second to Whistlejacket in the Prix Morny at Deauville, also has an exciting autumn ahead. The options for Rashabar are tantalizing, with the colt being aimed at the Group One Jean-Luc Lagardere on Arc weekend, with potential future entries in both the Dewhurst Stakes and the Breeders’ Cup.
Meehan is in no rush to commit to any specific path for Rashabar, preferring to let the horse’s form guide his decisions. "At the moment, Rashabar heads for the Jean-Luc Lagardere on Arc weekend, but we’ll see how it goes. The Dewhurst is there as well, and there's always the Breeders’ Cup for him. There’s no need to make any definitive plans because the owners are patient, and we have options. We’ll play it by ear and won’t commit until we have to."
Rashabar’s connections have every reason to be patient. His performances to date have showcased his immense talent and adaptability, and the fact that the Breeders’ Cup remains a possibility is a clear indication of just how highly he is regarded within the stable.
With Jayarebe, Law Of Design, and Rashabar all set for their respective challenges, Meehan's stable is poised to make an impact on the international stage. The road to Arc weekend is a critical one for Jayarebe, who could be on the cusp of something special, while the juvenile duo of Law Of Design and Rashabar hold the key to a bright future for Meehan’s team.
