First Mission arrives with Argentine blood to the elite of stallions at Darley

The son of Street Sense, grandson of the champion Forty Marchanta, is one of the new stallions for 2026 at Sheikh Mohammed’s farm in Lexington, Kentucky

First Mission was a very talented horse on the track / CHURCHILL DOWNS

By Diego H. Mitagstein

LEXINGTON, Kentucky.- The international horse racing universe often weaves stories where genetics and track success cross masterfully. For the 2026 season, Darley America announced the addition of two high-value pieces to its stallion roster at Jonabell Farm: Highland Falls (Curlin) and, especially, First Mission (Street Sense). It is the latter that arouses particular interest for South American racing, as his pedigree holds an unbreakable link with Argentinebreeding: he is the grandson of the remembered champion Forty Marchanta.

First Mission arrives at Sheikh Mohammed's operation with the mission of continuing one of the most influential lines of recent decades: that of Street Cry (Machiavellian) through his son Street Sense. As is well known, Street Sense made history by becoming the first horse to win the Breeders' Cup Juvenile (G1) and the Kentucky Derby(G1).

El Factor Forty Marchanta

The presence of Forty Marchanta as the second dam of First Mission is the core of his class. Bred by Haras La Biznaga, Forty Marchanta—by the notable Roar (Forty Niner)—was one of the best fillies of her generation in Argentina, achieving the feat of winning the Gran Premio Selección (G1) and the Polla de Potrancas (G1).

She is a sister to G2 winner South March (Southern Halo) and the dam of G1 winner Chanta Joy (Fortify). Her daughter, Elude (Medaglia d'Oro), is the mother of First Mission. This combination results in an explosive genetic cocktail: the solidity of the Street Cry line with the stamina of Medaglia d'Oro.

Una Campaña de Jerarquía

First Mission backed his genealogy with high-level performances. Defending the colors of Godolphin, he achieved:

• Key Victories: Lexington Stakes (G3), Essex Handicap (G3), Oaklawn Handicap (G2), and the Alysheba Stakes (G2).

• Top-Level Placing: He was third in the Stephen Foster Stakes (G1) behind superstars Mindframe(Constitution) and Sierra Leone (Gun Runner).

• Earnings: He closed his career with 6 wins in 16 starts and prizes totaling $2,232,940.

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Legado y Futuro en Jonabell Farm

The entry of First Mission into Jonabell Farm alongside Highland Falls marks a necessary generational relay. For breeders, his attraction lies in his balance: he maintains the elegance of his paternal line but with the robustness provided by the Argentine blood of Forty Marchanta. This is an indirect recognition of the quality of breeding in the south of the continent, ensuring that the legacy of the great champion of La Biznaga continues through a stallion with access to the best mares in the United States.