Banishing topples Commissioner King in Godolphin Mile

Saturday’s $1 million Godolphin Mile (G2) went to erstwhile Godolphin runner Banishing, who wore down the leg-weary favorite, Commissioner King, in deep stretch at Meydan.

Sharaf Mohammed al Hariri had recently bought into the U.S. shipper ahead of the Saudi Cup (G1), joining trainer David Jacobson and Lawrence Roman as co-owners. Banishing faded to eighth in Riyadh, but the cutback in trip on the Dubai World Cup card, combined with a measure of class relief, paid dividends.

Commissioner King was the one to beat after his domination of the course-and-distance Burj Nahar (G3). Yet his fierce pace took its toll in the Godolphin Mile, where he had to deal with more than the usual suspects. Commissioner King could have gotten away with it against his fellow locals, but not against Banishing.

Working his way gradually into position for Silvestre de Sousa, Banishing stayed on to outfinish the favorite by 2 1/4 lengths. The son of Ghostzapper completed the metric mile in 1:38.23 and furnished $8.40 stateside.

Commissioner King’s stablemates Mendelssohn Bay and Diamond Dealer, part of a six-strong posse for Bhupat Seemar, rounded out the superfecta. The Wathnan duo of Hypnus and Generous Tipper were next across the line, followed by Telemark, Zandvoort, Masmak, World Record, The Camden Colt, and David of Athens.

Banishing’s bankroll is now nearing the $3 million threshold from a record of 29-10-6-3, including graded victories in last year’s Charles Town Classic (G2) and Oaklawn Mile (G3). on the Dubai World Cup card. Most significant among his stakes placings is a dead-heat for second (with Nysos) in the loaded Churchill Downs (G1) on 2025 Kentucky Derby Day. 

“My horse was coming back in trip and it suits him, he’s a proper miler,” de Sousa observed. “There was a lot of pace in the race, and I just held the horse where he wanted to be. He took the turn a bit wrong, with the wrong leg, but he responded well under pressure.

“I was happy to follow him (Commissioner King) and also to have Mendelssohn Bay on my inside. I just took the safe option, but the horse wasn’t helping me, he was lugging to the outside when he came into the straight.”

Banishing developed into a stakes performer after the Godolphin homebred was sold for $80,000 at the Fasig-Tipton Kentucky Horses of Racing Age Sale in July 2024. His dam, Dowager, is a daughter of A.P. Indy and the multiple Grade 3 winner Marietta.