Godolphin truly represents Dubai.
A mould-breaker from the start, the Maktoum family’s esteemed and respected horseracing stable has diffused the essence of Dubai around the globe, winning most of the world’s major races along the way.
The city of Dubai has risen rapidly from the desert sands, emerging as a modern, thriving metropolis built upon a foundation of innovation and uninhibited achievement, upholding a vision that is truly international in scope.
Godolphin, in encapsulating those same values, exemplifies Dubai and plays a meaningful role in representing the Emirate to the world.
Established in 1992 with only a handful of horses, Godolphin quickly emerged as a force within the sport and quickly set about dispelling long-held prejudices about how the very best racehorses should and could be trained.
Horses are taken from the autumnal cold of Europe and the USA to the team’s home bases at Al Quoz Stables and Godolphin Marmoom Stables in Dubai for the duration of the winter months.
Many compete at the stunning state-of-the-art Meydan Racecourse during the Dubai World Cup Carnival which is held each year from January through to the end of March and attracts leading horses from around the world.
Godolphin has won the world’s richest race, the Group One US$10-million Dubai World Cup, on five occasions, thanks to Almutawakel (1999), Dubai Millennium (2000), Street Cry (2002), Moon Ballad (2003) and Electrocutionist (2006).
Under the care of trainers Saeed bin Suroor and Mahmood Al Zarooni, the Godolphin horses enjoy the benefits of Dubai’s warm climate and are prepared for their return to the northern hemisphere each spring to compete in Europe, America and beyond.
During those months from April to November, Godolphin’s horses are located in England, France and the USA. Saeed bin Suroor oversees the string at Godolphin Stables in Newmarket, England, while Mahmood Al Zarooni’s summer base is at nearby Moulton Paddocks. In France, Andre Fabre prepares runners from his Chantilly yard, while the American contingent are based with trainers Kiaran McLaughlin, Eoin Harty and Tom Albertrani.
The star horses also travel to run in the premier Asian jurisdictions, Hong Kong, Japan and Singapore, while the major Australian autumn carnivals often witness Godolphin contenders in action.
Godolphin’s global achievements have matched its early ambitions and the distinctive Royal Blue silks have been carried to victory in no fewer than 183 Group or Grade One races in 12 different countries.
The horses responsible for these stellar performances, many of whom have benefited from being ridden by retained jockey Frankie Dettori, include illustrious names such as Balanchine, Lammtarra, Daylami, Swain, Halling, Kayf Tara, Fantastic Light, Marienbard, Sakhee, Street Cry, Shamardal, Kazzia, Dubawi, Blue Bunting and the great Dubai Millennium.
Godolphin horses have triumphed in 52 Classic races in Europe and the UAE, while numerous major North American wins include five at the Breeders’ Cup meeting, highlighted by the victories of Daylami (1999) and Fantastic Light (2001) in the Breeders’ Cup Turf.
In keeping with its pioneering international outlook, Godolphin has gained four wins at the Cathay Pacific Hong Kong International Races and Heart Lake scored an early Japanese Group One win in the 1995 Yasuda Kinen. More recently, Grandera annexed the 2002 Group One Singapore Airlines International Cup, while in 2008 All The Good landed Australia’s prestigious Group One BMW Caulfield Cup.
Founded by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, who remains Godolphin’s driving force, the stable takes its name from Godolphin Arabian, one of the three foundation stallions imported into England nearly 300 years ago to which all thoroughbred race horses trace their roots.