Noble Mission Claims First National Hunt Winner

Noble Mission  extended his prowess to the jumping sphere after Goobinator became the Kentucky-based stallion's first National Hunt winner from only his second runner.

Donald McCain's Goobinator is from the first crop of Frankel's full-brother and multiple group 1 scorer, who has been gaining recognition with his progeny on the flat from Lane's End Farm.

Noble Mission, a son of Galileo, has already broken through the top-level ceiling in the US with Code of Honor, the home-bred colt for Lane's End owner Bill Farish who took the Runhappy Travers Stakes (G1) and Jockey Club Gold Cup (G1) and finished second in the Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve (G1) upon the disqualification of Maximum Security.

In Europe he provided Spanish Mission, the Bahrain Trophy (G3) winner who ended up claiming the lucrative Jockey Club Derby Invitational at Belmont Park for David Simcock.

Goobinator was bought by owner Tim Leslie for 45,000 guineas (US$61,752) as a yearling during Book 2 of the Tattersalls October Yearling Sale and was sent to McCain for a campaign on the level.

Bred by Fred Hertrich III and John Fielding, he has a rich stateside pedigree, which includes Kentucky Oaks (G1) heroine Blushing K. D., Canadian scorer Ambitious Cat, and top Hong Kong performer Electric Unicorn.

He only made his debut on the flat as a 3-year-old in August, but won on his third outing at Southwell at the beginning of this month.

Switching codes for the Nov. 27 ROA Rewards Members Juvenile Maiden Hurdle at Wetherby, Goobinator managed a passable impression of Leslie and McCain's wonderful dual-purpose performer Overturn as he powered 13 lengths clear.

"It's only the fourth ever run of his life, he seems a big tall horse but a horse who has plenty of ability," jockey Brian Hughes told Racing TV. "It was what it was was but he could do it no easier. His jumping was OK, a little bit brave at one or two, but it'll all come with more practice."