“Yesterday I finalised a deal to secure Spanish Mission to race in partnership with Ozzie Kheir and Jonathan Rosham,” said Sokolski in a release. “I would like to thank the former owners of Spanish Mission, Gary Barber and [Barry] Irwin, who specifically approached me and gave me the opportunity to purchase their wonderful horse and keep him on our shores. Spanish Mission is a truly world-class stayer and importantly still on an upward trajectory with so much more to come.”

Spanish Mission has traveled the globe to compete in the top staying contests and has also won the G2 Doncaster Cup and the G3 Bahrain Trophy S.

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Trained by Andrew Balding, the 5-year-old was found to have swelling in a leg on Friday but has subsequently been passed fit by the Racing Victoria vets. With Craig Williams booked to ride, Spanish Mission is second-favourite for Australia's most famous staying contest behind the G1 Caulfield Cup winner Incentivise (Aus) (Shamus Award {Aus}).

The Peter Moody-trained favourite is in stall 16, while last year's winner Twilight Payment (Ire) (Teofilo {Ire}), trained by Jospeh O'Brien, has drawn gate two and will carry top weight of the 24 runners.

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The Joseph-O'Brien-trained Twilight Payment won the G3 Irish St Leger Trial on Aug. 13 and finished second in the G1 Irish St Leger two weeks ago, and he will pre-quarantine in Ireland for two weeks before shipping Down Under. Sir Lucan, who will remain in Australia and join Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott, and Away He Goes, who will be the first runner at the carnival for trainer Ismail Mohammed, have joined Spanish Mission (Noble Mission {GB}) at Sidehill Stud in Newmarket. The Andrew Balding-trained Spanish Mission had been intended for a multi-race campaign in Melbourne, but his export was delayed this week after he experienced muscle spasms.

Twilight Payment's Grade I-winning stablemate State Of Rest (Ire) (Starspangledbanner {Aus}) and the French Group 2 winner Gold Trip (Fr) (Outstrip {GB}) have already touched down in Australia, and both are targeting the Oct. 23 G1 Cox Plate. As part of the new requirements for international participants in the carnival, both horses will undergo a standing CT scan before being given the final stamp of approval for the Cox Plate.

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“He goes into quarantine in Newmarket–I couldn't be happier with him, he's come out of York great,” said Balding of his charge, who placed second in the Feb. 20 Red Sea Turf H. to open his season in Saudi Arabia before a fifth-place run in the G2 Dubai Gold Cup at Meydan on Mar. 27. “He's passed all his required veterinary checks and goes into two weeks' quarantine and then will be shipped to Australia for the Caulfield Cup and hopefully the Melbourne Cup as well.”

Balding added of the strict covid restrictions in Australia that will prevent him sending one of his staff, “It is a problem. Happily we've got a former employee who is working in Australia and has made himself available to ride the horse. We are working on the other details.”

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Having proven himself a genuine pattern-race performer when beating Nayef Road (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) by four lengths in Newmarket's 13-furlong G3 Bahrain Trophy in July 2019, Spanish Mission also garnered the Jockey Club Derby Invitational at Belmont that season before trying staying trips. Second in Sandown's G3 Henry II S. over two miles in early July, the bay was sixth in the G1 Goodwood Cup later that month before leaving David Simcock and marking his debut for this stable with a comprehensive win in the Listed Chester S. in August. Proving that the near two-and-a-quarter-mile trip of the Doncaster Cup held no fears when following up at the St Leger meeting, he was seventh in the G2 Qipco British Champions Long Distance Cup on testing ground at Ascot in October. Runner-up in the 15-furlong Red Sea Turf H. at Riyadh Feb. 20 before his Dubai Gold Cup effort.

Underlining just what a stamina influence Noble Mission has been in this instance, the first foal out of the listed-winning dam Limonar (Ire) (Street Cry {Ire}) was the Listed Rose Bowl S.-winning sprinter Mokarris (More Than Ready) who was also runner-up in the G2 Gimcrack S. Limonar is a half-sister to the GI Shoemaker Mile winner Talco (Fr) (Pivotal {GB}) and to the dam of the recent G3 Prix de la Grotte third Silvestri (Fr) (Siyouni {Fr}) who lines up in Sunday's G1 Poule d'Essai des Pouliches. This is also the family of the G1 Irish 2000 Guineas hero Bachelor Duke (Miswaki) and the G1 National S.-winning sire Fatherland (Ire) which includes Sonnyboyliston (Ire) (Power {GB}) who was third in this month's G3 Ormonde S. Her 2-year-old colt is by Mastery, while she also has a yearling son of Uncle Mo.

Friday, York, Britain
MATCHBOOK YORKSHIRE CUP-G2, £120,000, York, 5-14, 4yo/up, 13f 188yT, 2:59.56, gd.
1–SPANISH MISSION, 130, h, 5, by Noble Mission (GB)
     1st Dam: Limonar (Ire) (SW-Fr, $124,447), by Street Cry (Ire)
     2nd Dam: Trylko, by Diesis (GB)
     3rd Dam: Gossamer, by Seattle Slew
($125,000 Ylg '17 KEESEP; 60,000gns RNA 2yo '18 TATBRE). O-Team Valor LLC & Gary Barber; B-St. Elias Stables, LLC (KY); T-Andrew Balding; J-William Buick. £68,052. Lifetime Record: SW-US, 16-6-3-2, $1,432,645. *1/2 to Mokarris (More Than Ready), SW & GSP-Eng. Werk Nick Rating: A++. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree.
2–Santiago (Ire), 127, c, 4, Authorized (Ire)–Wadyhatta (GB), by Cape Cross (Ire). O-Michael Tabor, Derrick Smith & Susan Magnier; B-Lynch Bages Ltd (IRE); T-Aidan O'Brien. £25,800.
3–Sir Ron Priestley (GB), 130, h, 5, Australia (GB)–Reckoning (Ire), by Danehill Dancer (Ire). (70,000gns Ylg '17 TAOCT). O-Paul Dean; B-Mascalls Stud (GB); T-Mark Johnston. £12,912.
Margins: 2 3/4, 1, 9HF. Odds: 5.5, 2.25, 1.20.
Also Ran: Wells Farhh Go (Ire), Nayef Road (Ire). Click for the Racing Post result or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.

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The $750,000 UAE Derby Sponsored By Emirates NBD attracted 14 sophomores, and, as an added bonus carries 170 (100-40-20-10) points toward the GI Kentucky Derby on May 1. Saudi Derby conqueror Pink Kamehameha (Jpn) (Leontes {Jpn}) leaves from the widest stall in 14. Rated a field-topping 112, the Hideyuki Mori trainee-one of three from Japan–will knock heads with his Derby second and third New Treasure (Ire) (New Approach {Ire}) for the Gosdens and Rebel's Romance (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}) for Godolphin and Charlie Appleby.

The undefeated Flatter colt Panadol (109), a winner of the Listed Al Bastakiya over Doug Watson's Speight'spercomete (Speightstown) and MSW El Patriota (Uru) (Ecologo {Arg}) on Mar. 6 for Salem bin Ghadayer also takes part. Watson's other runner is the impressive G3 UAE Oaks victress Mnasek (Empire Maker), runner-up to Appleby/Godolphin's Soft Whisper (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}) in the Listed UAE 1000 Guineas after a poor beginning. America is also represented, as Doug O'Neill's GIII Bob Hope S. third Ambivalent (Constitution) will leave from gate eight.

In the G2 Godolphin Mile Sponsored By Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum City-District One, 15 horses, led by listed winner and Group-3 placed Urban Icon (GB) (Cityscape {GB}), have signed on. The first four finishers of the Mar. 6 G3 Burj Nahaar also lock horns once again: Midnight Sands (Speightstown), Group 3 winner Chiefdom (The Factor), Tuz (Oxbow) and Golden Goal (Ire) (Dark Angel {Ire}). Satish Seemar charges Roman Rosso (Arg) (Roman Ruler)–a winner at the highest level in his native land and third in the G1 Al Maktoum Challenge Round 3-and Al Maktoum Challenge R3 fifth Secret Ambition (GB) (Exceed And Excel {Aus}) have also stood their ground.

GI Cigar Mile H. runner-up Snapper Sinclair (City Zip) will take part for Steve Asmussen, as will GII Suburban S. third Parsimony (Dominus) for Doug O'Neill and dual graded-placed Avant Garde (Tonalist) from the Gustavo Delgado barn.

The 3200-metre $750,000 G2 Dubai Gold Cup Sponsored By Al Tayer Motors is anchored by Godolphin's group-placed Secret Advisor (Fr) (Dubawi {Ire}) from the Charlie Appleby barn. One of four in the race representing the royal blue, he is joined by G3 Nad Al Sheba Trophy one-two Volcanic Sky (GB) (Street Cry {Ire}) and Global Heat (Ire) (Toronado {Ire}), both from Saeed bin Suroor.

Last year's G1 Prix Royal-Oak hero Subjectivist (GB) (Teofilo {Ire}) aims to knock the rust off from gate 10 for Mark Johnston, while dual Italian group winner Walderbe (Ger) (Maxios {GB}) drew one to the inside for trainer Ralf Rohne. Globetrotting veteran Red Verdon (Lemon Drop Kid) makes his first journey to the desert for Ed Dunlop and leaves from the farthest gate in 11. Team Valor tasted G1 Dubai World Cup glory with Animal Kingdom (Leroidesanimaux {Brz}), and they team up with Gary Barber and trainer Andrew Balding with G2 Doncaster Cup hero Spanish Mission (Noble Mission {GB}).

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“He ran a smashing race,” said Balding. “It was his first run for a while, and he's entitled to come on for that. All being well, he might head towards Meydan for the Sheema Classic. He's effective at a mile and a half and further, and is just a great horse to have in the yard.”

Stablemate Spanish Mission (Noble Mission {GB}) is also a possible candidate for the Dubai World Cup meeting on Mar. 27. the 2020 G2 Doncaster Cup S. winner was last seen running second in the Red Sea Turf H. at Riyadh.

“He ran with great credit and he too might end up going to Dubai for the [G2] Dubai Gold Cup,” said Balding.

The third Balding trainee, Bangkok (Ire) (Australia {GB}) a Group 3 winner earlier in his career and a winner of the Listed Winter Derby Trial S. two back, was eighth in the Feb. 20 $20-million Saudi Cup. The bay is set for start in the Apr. 2 All-Weather Championship Finals at Lingfield.

“He's probably not quite as good as the others, which is obvious, but he won some really good prize-money and is back here and bouncing,” said Balding. “There were great rewards up for grabs, and that was the main reason we ran. The rewards were there as long as he could finish in the first 10, and he did that and has done us proud. He will more than likely head to Lingfield for Good Friday.”

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From a sedate early pace, last year's winner Call The Wind (GB) made the early running with the Saeed bin Suroor-trained Gifts Of Gold settling into a handy position under Pat Cosgrave just behind the leaders on the rail in third.

With Mildenberger (GB) contesting the lead with Call The Wind heading into the home turn, Cosgrave switched his mount to the outside to come four wide as the leaders gave way to Making Miracles (GB) making a move through on the inside.

Once straightened for home, Gifts Of Gold was able to unleash a potent sprint kick to surge clear of the leader as Spanish Mission made a determined effort to reel him in, but the 6-year-old son of Invincible Spirit proved just too strong.

One of the lower-profile members of the field at the outset, Gifts Of Gold's victory was the fourth of his career, and the first time he had triumphed beyond 2000m.

Quotes

Saeed Bin Suroor, trainer, Gifts Of Gold, 1st: “This was the plan since January when racing started in Dubai. I thought he would be the perfect horse. He's a big strong horse and he ran well. The pace of the race wasn't that fast and that suited him and he finished the race off really well.

“Pat is good jockey and he has won big races for us in Australia, England and Germany. We're happy. We will take him back to Dubai and maybe he will go for the Gold Cup. I'm sure he will improve some more.”

Pat Cosgrave, jockey, Gifts Of Gold: “That was great. Hopefully we're not finished yet! He was 110 there in a handicap so you have to think he's a horse for the Melbourne Cup maybe next year. He relaxes good and he has that turn of foot which is perfect for Melbourne.”

Ryan Moore, jockey, Spanish Mission, 2nd: “He ran a nice race, you must be happy with that first run of the year. He has won a big one in the past already. The ground is a bit loose now.”

Charlie Appleby, trainer, Secret Advisor, 3rd: “That was a pleasing run. Will (Buick, jockey) said he got a lovely pitch round there.  He's a solid campaigner at that trip, and the winner is a good horse on his day, as we know. Great for Saeed, Team Godolphin and His Highness Sheikh Mohammed again.”

Rest of jockey quotes:

Hollie Doyle, Red Verdon, 4th: “It was a real test of his stamina. He travelled around beautifully and he really wanted to do it today, which was great.”

Luis Morales, Making Miracles, 5th: “I had a great trip. Beautiful. He just got a little tired in the last 300m but he ran very well.” 

Frankie, Prince Of Arran, 9th: “They went very slowly and I was too far back.”

Jamie Spencer, Mekong, 10th: “They went too slow.”

Olivier Peslier, Call The Wind, 11th: “He was leaning heavily on me during the entire race. He leaned to the right and that is not what he usually does. This is not the horse as we know him.”

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Coming to the fore when beating that solid yardstick Nayef Road (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) by four lengths in Newmarket’s 13-furlong G3 Bahrain Trophy in July, Spanish Mission was third behind him in Goodwood’s G3 Gordon S. before annexing the Jockey Club Derby Invitational at Belmont in September. Second to this stable’s Dashing Willoughby (GB) (Nathaniel {Ire}) in Sandown’s G3 Henry II S. over two miles July 5, the bay was sixth on his final start for David Simcock in the July 28 G1 Goodwood Cup before his confidence-restoring three-length defeat of Selino on his bow for Kingsclere at Chester. Repeating that form to the exact margin here, he entered into the picture for the G2 QIPCO Long Distance Cup at Ascot. “That is really the only race for him if he is going to run again this year, but the ground might have gone too soft for him by then, so we’ll see,” Balding said.

The first foal out of the listed-winning dam Limonar (Ire) (Street Cry {Ire}) was the Listed Rose Bowl S. winner and G2 Gimcrack S. runner-up Mokarris (More Than Ready). She is a half-sister to the GI Shoemaker Mile winner Talco (Fr) (Pivotal {GB}) from the family of the G1 Irish 2000 Guineas hero Bachelor Duke (Miswaki) and the G1 National S.-winning sire Fatherland (Ire). Her 3-year-old filly Dame Iris (Medaglia d’Oro) is unraced, while her yearling colt by Mastery is due to sell on Thursday at the Keeneland September Yearling Sale. She has been bred to Uncle Mo this year.

Friday, Doncaster, Britain
BET365 DONCASTER CUP S.-G2, £80,000, Doncaster, 9-11, 3yo/up, 17f 197yT, 3:55.84, gd.
1–SPANISH MISSION, 131, c, 4, by Noble Mission (GB)
1st Dam: Limonar (Ire) (SW-Fr, $124,447), by Street Cry (Ire)
2nd Dam: Trylko, by Diesis (GB)
3rd Dam: Gossamer, by Seattle Slew
($125,000 Ylg ’17 KEESEP; 60,000gns RNA 2yo ’18 TATBRE). O-Team Valor LLC & Gary Barber; B-St Elias Stables LLC (KY); T-Andrew Balding; J-William Buick. £45,368. Lifetime Record: GISW-US, 12-5-2-2, $814,535. *1/2 to Mokarris (More Than Ready), SW & GSP-Eng. Werk Nick Rating: A. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree.
2–Selino (GB), 131, g, 4, Champs Elysees (GB)–Air Kiss (GB), by Red Ransom. O-Qatar Racing Ltd; B-St Clare Hall Stud (GB); T-James Fanshawe. £17,200.
3–The Grand Visir (GB), 131, g, 6, Frankel (GB)–Piping (Ire), by Montjeu (Ire). (€750,000 Ylg ’15 ARAUG; 170,000gns 4yo ’18 TATAHI; £40,000 6yo ’20 GOFJAN). O-Andy Bell & Fergus Lyons; B-Qatar Bloodstock, Ecurie des Monceaux & Ecurie Skymarc Farm (GB); T-Ian Williams. £8,608.
Margins: 3, 4, HF. Odds: 1.50, 12.00, 10.00.
Also Ran: Revolver (Ire), Eagles By Day (Ire), Island Brave (Ire), Red Verdon. Click for the Racing Post result or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree. Video, sponsored by Fasig-Tipton.

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