Flavien Prat Bounces Back From Spill to Win Raven Run

Flavien Prat is back in the winner's circle and looking ahead to a major Breeders' Cup ride. The two-time Eclipse Award-winning jockey overcame a scary spill just one day earlier to guide Movie Night to a decisive victory in the $381,500 Raven Run Stakes (G2) at Keeneland on Oct. 17. That resilience sets the stage for his next big assignment: piloting Magnitude in the $7 million Breeders' Cup Classic (G1) on Oct. 31.

A quick recovery leads to a stakes win

Prat's weekend started with a scare. He was unseated in a spill during the fourth race at Belmont Park on Oct. 16, forcing him to miss the rest of that day's card. But he was back in the saddle the very next morning, working Breeders' Cup contender Magnitude at Keeneland. By that afternoon, he was back to winning. In the Raven Run, he settled Movie Night in third before asking for her run on the turn. The filly responded, running down pacesetter Mythical and drawing clear to win by 2 lengths. She covered the 7 furlongs in 1:23.28, nearly a second faster than the Perryville Stakes winner on the same card. Trainer Will Walden celebrated the win on his 36th birthday.

Securing a prime Breeders' Cup mount

The ride on Magnitude for the Breeders' Cup Classic became available when the colt's regular rider, Jose Ortiz, chose another mount. Prat wasted no time getting acquainted, guiding the Dubai World Cup (G1) winner through a 5-furlong maintenance breeze in 1:00 3/5 at Keeneland on Oct. 10. Hall of Fame trainer Steve Asmussen said the work allowed Prat to pick up on the horse's little tendencies. "He picked up a couple of the little innuendos off of Magnitude," Asmussen said. "The horse has got a tremendous amount of talent and they ought to get along well." Prat's last Breeders' Cup Classic at Keeneland was a memorable one, as he teamed with Flightline to win the 2022 edition.

Recent momentum from a Kentucky hot streak

This latest success continues a strong run of form for Prat in the Bluegrass State. Earlier in the meeting, his performance at Kentucky Downs and a three-stakes win day at Churchill Downs earned him Jockey of the Week honors. That consistent high-level riding makes him a sought-after partner for top connections heading into the sport's championship events.

Key Takeaways from Prat's current form

• Overcame Adversity: Returned from an Oct. 16 spill to win the Raven Run Stakes (G2) on Oct. 17.
• Major Classic Ride: Will pilot Dubai World Cup winner Magnitude in the $7 million Breeders' Cup Classic (G1) on Oct. 31.
• In Tune with Mount: Successfully breezed Magnitude on Oct. 10, earning trainer Steve Asmussen's confidence.
• Kentucky Success: Recent Jockey of the Week honors highlight his dominant form in the state.