Irish Mission (CAN)
May 20, 2009 – Living
Giant’s Causeway (USA) x Misty Mission (CAN), by Miswaki (USA)
Family 14-b
May 20, 2009 – Living
Giant’s Causeway (USA) x Misty Mission (CAN), by Miswaki (USA)
Family 14-b
A member of a notable Canadian family, Irish Mission did her relatives proud on the track. She earned two Sovereign Awards as well as a reputation as a consistent, hard-trying staying turf runner. Unfortunately, her broodmare career has been disappointing.
Race record
29 starts, 7 wins, 6 seconds, 3 thirds, US$1,357,075 (includes converted Canadian earnings)
2012:
2013:
2014:
2015:
Honors
As an individual
A chestnut mare who resembles her sire, Irish Mission stayed very well.
As a producer
As of November 23, 2025, Irish Mission has produced six named foals of racing age. All have started, but only the 2016 Tapit mare Ygritte is a winner.
Connections
Foaled in Ontario, Irish Mission was bred by Sam-Son Farm. She was sold for US$375,000 at the 2010 Fasig-Tipton Saratoga yearling sale. She is owned by Robert S. Evans. Trained by Christophe Clement, she was ridden to her wins in the Woodbine Oaks and the Breeders’ Stakes by Alex Solis.
Pedigree notes
Irish Mission is inbred 4x4 to the great sire Northern Dancer, the 1964 Canadian Horse of the Year and American champion 3-year-old male. She is a full sister to stakes winner Mythical Mission and a half sister to 2008 Colonel E. R. Bradley Handicap (USA-G3) winner French Beret (by Broad Brush). She is also a half sister to Smart Mission (by Smart Strike), dam of 2025 Rodeo Drive Stakes (USA-G2) winner Mission of Joy (by Kitten’s Joy).
Irish Mission is out of Misty Mission, who took a leg of Canada’s Triple Tiara series with her score in the 2000 Wonder Where Stakes (CAN-R). Misty Mission is a half sister to 1993 Canadian champion 2-year-old male Comet Shine (by Fappiano) and to Starboard Tack (by Seattle Slew), dam of 1999 Derby Trial Stakes (USA-G3) winner Patience Game (by Woodman) and stakes winner Star Queen (by Kingmambo). Star Queen is the dam of Group 2-placed listed stakes winner Starzene (by Cozzene) and, through her, the second dam of multiple South African Group 3 winner African Night Sky. Through another daughter, Staria (by Unbridled’s Song), Starboard Tack is also the second dam of Grade 2 winner Time to Dazzle.
Misty Mission is also a half sister to Gold in My Stars (by Forty Niner), dam of stakes winner Kimmyv (by El Corredor), and to Sanibel Star (by Unbridled’s Song), dam of restricted stakes winner Star Contender (by Henny Hughes). The sisters are out of Hangin on a Star (by Vice Regent) who defeated colts in the third leg of the 1987 Canadian Triple Crown, the Breeders’ Stakes. Produced from 1980 Canadian Broodmare of the Year Hangin Round (by Stage Door Johnny), Hangin on a Star is a half sister to two-time Canadian champion Rainbow Connection (by Halo), who earned 1990 Canadian Broodmare of the Year honors after producing 1990 CIGA Prix de l’Opera (FR-G2) winner Colour Chart (by Mr. Prospector) and 1990 Canadian champion 2-year-old male Rainbows for Life (by Lyphard). Rainbows for Life went on to earn two more Sovereign Awards before becoming a successful sire in Central Europe, and Colour Chart is the dam of 2001 American champion juvenile filly Tempera (by A.P. Indy), multiple French Group 3 winner Equerry (by St. Jovite), and French listed stakes winner Ecole d’Art (by Theatrical) and is also the second dam of 2010 Saudi Arabian champion older female Caprivi. Rainbow Connection also produced Canadian restricted stakes winner Always a Rainbow (by Mr. Prospector); Barari (by Blushing Groom), dam of multiple Grade 1 winner White Heart (by Green Desert) and listed stakes winner Kind Regards (by Unfuwain); and Rainbow’s Classic (by Regal Classic), dam of listed stakes wunner Full Spectrum (by Broad Brush).
Returning to Hangin on a Star, she is also a half sister to 1981 King Edward Gold Cup Handicap winner Mr. Macho (by Ruritania) and to Archdeacon (by Dancing Champ), winner of the 1983 Prince of Wales Stakes (second leg of the Canadian Triple Crown). In addition, she is a half sister to Rainbow Two (by Halo), second dam of multiple Grade winner City to City.
Last updated: November 23, 2025
Race record
29 starts, 7 wins, 6 seconds, 3 thirds, US$1,357,075 (includes converted Canadian earnings)
2012:
- Won Woodbine Oaks (CAN-R, 9FA, Woodbine)
- Won Breeders' Stakes. (CAN-R, 12FT, Woodbine)
- 2nd Queen's Plate (CAN-R, 10FA, Woodbine)
2013:
- 2nd Nassau Stakes (CAN-G2, 8FT, Woodbine)
- 3rd Orchid Stakes (USA-G3, 12FT, Gulfstream Park)
2014:
- Won Glens Falls Stakes (USA-G3, 11FT, Saratoga)
- Won La Prevoyante Handicap (USA-G3, 12FT, Gulfstream Park)
- 2nd WinStar Matchmaker Stakes (USA-G3, 9FT, Monmouth)
- 2nd Belmont Gold Cup Invitational Stakes (USA, 16FT, Belmont)
- 3rd Rodeo Drive Stakes (USA-G1, 10FT, Santa Anita)
- 3rd Sheepshead Bay Stakes (USA-G2, 11FT, Belmont)
2015:
- Won The Very One Stakes (USA-G3, 11FT, Gulfstream Park)
Honors
- Sovereign Award, Canadian champion 3-year-old filly (2012)
- Sovereign Award, Canadian turf horse (2012)
As an individual
A chestnut mare who resembles her sire, Irish Mission stayed very well.
As a producer
As of November 23, 2025, Irish Mission has produced six named foals of racing age. All have started, but only the 2016 Tapit mare Ygritte is a winner.
Connections
Foaled in Ontario, Irish Mission was bred by Sam-Son Farm. She was sold for US$375,000 at the 2010 Fasig-Tipton Saratoga yearling sale. She is owned by Robert S. Evans. Trained by Christophe Clement, she was ridden to her wins in the Woodbine Oaks and the Breeders’ Stakes by Alex Solis.
Pedigree notes
Irish Mission is inbred 4x4 to the great sire Northern Dancer, the 1964 Canadian Horse of the Year and American champion 3-year-old male. She is a full sister to stakes winner Mythical Mission and a half sister to 2008 Colonel E. R. Bradley Handicap (USA-G3) winner French Beret (by Broad Brush). She is also a half sister to Smart Mission (by Smart Strike), dam of 2025 Rodeo Drive Stakes (USA-G2) winner Mission of Joy (by Kitten’s Joy).
Irish Mission is out of Misty Mission, who took a leg of Canada’s Triple Tiara series with her score in the 2000 Wonder Where Stakes (CAN-R). Misty Mission is a half sister to 1993 Canadian champion 2-year-old male Comet Shine (by Fappiano) and to Starboard Tack (by Seattle Slew), dam of 1999 Derby Trial Stakes (USA-G3) winner Patience Game (by Woodman) and stakes winner Star Queen (by Kingmambo). Star Queen is the dam of Group 2-placed listed stakes winner Starzene (by Cozzene) and, through her, the second dam of multiple South African Group 3 winner African Night Sky. Through another daughter, Staria (by Unbridled’s Song), Starboard Tack is also the second dam of Grade 2 winner Time to Dazzle.
Misty Mission is also a half sister to Gold in My Stars (by Forty Niner), dam of stakes winner Kimmyv (by El Corredor), and to Sanibel Star (by Unbridled’s Song), dam of restricted stakes winner Star Contender (by Henny Hughes). The sisters are out of Hangin on a Star (by Vice Regent) who defeated colts in the third leg of the 1987 Canadian Triple Crown, the Breeders’ Stakes. Produced from 1980 Canadian Broodmare of the Year Hangin Round (by Stage Door Johnny), Hangin on a Star is a half sister to two-time Canadian champion Rainbow Connection (by Halo), who earned 1990 Canadian Broodmare of the Year honors after producing 1990 CIGA Prix de l’Opera (FR-G2) winner Colour Chart (by Mr. Prospector) and 1990 Canadian champion 2-year-old male Rainbows for Life (by Lyphard). Rainbows for Life went on to earn two more Sovereign Awards before becoming a successful sire in Central Europe, and Colour Chart is the dam of 2001 American champion juvenile filly Tempera (by A.P. Indy), multiple French Group 3 winner Equerry (by St. Jovite), and French listed stakes winner Ecole d’Art (by Theatrical) and is also the second dam of 2010 Saudi Arabian champion older female Caprivi. Rainbow Connection also produced Canadian restricted stakes winner Always a Rainbow (by Mr. Prospector); Barari (by Blushing Groom), dam of multiple Grade 1 winner White Heart (by Green Desert) and listed stakes winner Kind Regards (by Unfuwain); and Rainbow’s Classic (by Regal Classic), dam of listed stakes wunner Full Spectrum (by Broad Brush).
Returning to Hangin on a Star, she is also a half sister to 1981 King Edward Gold Cup Handicap winner Mr. Macho (by Ruritania) and to Archdeacon (by Dancing Champ), winner of the 1983 Prince of Wales Stakes (second leg of the Canadian Triple Crown). In addition, she is a half sister to Rainbow Two (by Halo), second dam of multiple Grade winner City to City.
Last updated: November 23, 2025