BC Contenders: Noble Mission

Division: Turf

Name: Noble Mission (GB)

Year Born: 2009

Sex: Horse

Sire: Galileo (IRE)

Dam: Kind (IRE)

Broodmare Sire: Danehill

Trainer: Lady Jane Cecil

Owner: Juddmonte Farm

Profile: His late trainer Sir Henry Cecil was one of the best trainers in Europe and had done well in the Breeders' Cup with his highlight being the 2009 Filly and Mare Turf win by Midday and 3^rd place the same year in the Classic with Twice Over. However, his best known horse was Frankel who is named after Juddmonte's late American trainer multiple BC race winner Bobby Frankel. Noble Mission is Frankel's little brother and looks to have finally found that winning edge that his brother is famous for.

Before this year, he had won 3 stakes races, two of them where listed and the third the Group 3 Gordon in 2012 where he defeated Encke who would go on to deny Camelot the British Triple Crown. Since late April of this year, he has picked up wins in several group stakes including the Group 1 Tattersalls Gold Cup at the Curragh where he defeated last year's Turf winner Magician. He lost by a head in his last start at Saint-cloud and is being considered for the King George IV and Queen Elizabeth Stakes which is a WAYI for the Turf.

Here is his Gold Cup win:

Why He Will Win: His owner has had done success in the Breeders' Cup, especially the Hasili foals (which he isn't, but he's from another excellent broodmare). His dam's ½ brother Powerscourt (GB) (Saddler's Wells) crossed the wire in first twice in the US (although the first time was a DQ) and was 3^rd in the Turf in 2004 (finishing right behind Champion Turf Horse that year Kitten's Joy (El Prado (IRE)) in a race that was won by Better Talk Now (Talkin Man)).

Why He Won't Win: Other than not coming over, it's the fact that the firm Santa Anita surface may end not suiting him (unless it rains, which is likely doubtful). Also he is likely a horse where a mile and a half maybe too long for him in the US, but he could be fine in Europe.

Will He Win?: If the Americans look like how they do now, he certinally has a chance. After all UN winner Main Sequence won in his US debut. He is the closest we are going to get to seeing a Frankel sib race in the US' biggest stage (his brother Morpheus (GB) (Oasis Dream (GB)) hasn't shown the same promise in New York).