By Tom Frary
It didn't take long for Ballydoyle to register a winner on Qipco British Champions Day as Mission Central (No Nay Never) came good in the second act of the afternoon at Ascot.
Following an eight-length Curragh maiden win with success in the Round Tower, he was sent to the Flying Childers at Doncaster but failed to get into the five-furlong contest dominated by Revival Power.
This was much more in his comfort zone and he was always travelling notably strongly tracking the pace before being launched by Christophe Soumillon inside the two. Soon in command, the 5-1 shot took this inaugural running by half a length, with the Listed scorer Ardisia (Ardad) denying the Mill Reef-winning 11-10 favourite Words Of Truth (Lope De Vega) second by a length.
“It was easy,” Soumillon said. “He was really relaxed and I was cruising. I think the distance and ground really helped him today and I was quite impressed. I think he's a really good horse and he's going to do some travelling overseas I think.”
The win extended O'Brien's current lead in the trainer's title in Britain and Soumillon was keen to express his pleasure at getting the main rides for the stable after Ryan Moore's injury. “I am like a kid who has been brought to Disneyland! I couldn't have imagined getting in this position even for a short time and for me it's about enjoying every day with this amazing team,” he added.
Mission accomplished for MISSION CENTRAL ✅
Aidan O'Brien's charge wins the Qipco British Champions Day Two-Year-Old Conditions Stakes! 🥇@Champions_Day @Ascot pic.twitter.com/ah2GAjXSA0
— At The Races (@AtTheRaces) October 18, 2025
Pedigree Notes
Mission Central is the first foal out of the unraced Thar She Blows (Zoffany), with the second being a colt foal by Kingman. The dam is a full-sister to the Falmouth heroine and 1,000 Guineas runner-up Prosperous Voyage, while the family features the United Nations Handicap and Clement L. Hirsch Memorial Turf Championship Stakes hero Senure (Nureyev), the champion and sire Xaar and Almanzor's G1 Sydney Cup hero Circle Of Fire.
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