The bare facts tell the story. Recon Mission's most recent victory came on 10 April 2025 at Lingfield Park—17 months ago. Since then, nothing. The last six outings have brought a second place, but mostly nothing better than mid-field efforts: a pair of sixth places, a fifth, and another third. When ridden by its most frequent partner, Jack Doughty, the record is marginally better—a win from 12 races together—but still nothing to build hope on. Notably, when the horse steps up to Class 5 races, the sternest opposition it typically faces, it has failed to win in 15 attempts. That's where the limits become clear.
What keeps Recon Mission in training at Tony Carroll's Cropthorne yard is exactly what those place finishes suggest: a horse that belongs in racing, competes without disgrace, and occasionally gets close. The gap between its last win and today is long, yet it was back in action just a day ago, which speaks to a horse still game and still showing enough to warrant another shot. For a decade-old competing at this level, that willingness to keep trying is perhaps the most honest thing you can say.
| Course | Races | Results | Last visited | Win rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lingfield Park Sharp |
20 | 1 win, 5 seconds, 4 thirds, 10 other | 22 Aug | 5% |
| Brighton Undulating |
7 | 1 second, 1 third, 5 other | 7 Aug | 0% |
| Windsor Sharp |
4 | 1 second, 3 other | 10 Jun | 0% |
| Bath Undulating |
4 | 1 second, 2 thirds, 1 other | 3 Sep | 0% |
| Wolverhampton Galloping |
4 | 1 third, 3 other | 21 Apr | 0% |
| Sandown Park Galloping |
3 | 1 win, 2 other | 15 Sep | 33.3% |
| Epsom Downs Undulating |
3 | 1 second, 2 other | 3 Jun | 0% |
| Goodwood Undulating |
2 | 2 other | 21 Sep | 0% |
| Nottingham Galloping |
1 | 1 other | 13 May | 0% |
| Chester Tight |
1 | 1 other | 14 Jul | 0% |
| Chepstow Galloping |
1 | 1 third | 18 Jul | 0% |
| Leicester Sharp |
1 | 1 second | 27 Apr | 0% |
| chelmsford | 1 | 1 other | 29 Mar | 0% |
| Southwell Galloping |
1 | 1 third | 28 Oct | 0% |