Record-breaking year produces eight Eclipse Awards finalists

Godolphin’s outstanding 2021 in North America has been recognised with eight nominations for next month’s Eclipse Awards.

A sensational year saw Godolphin amass prize money of US$17.4million in the United States and Canada, smashing the previous earnings record by more than US$5million.

With 23 Graded Stakes victories in 2021, including 11 at G1 level, Godolphin is strongly placed to receive the Eclipse Award for Outstanding Owner for a fourth time.

Remarkably, all 23 wins were achieved by homebreds, meaning Godolphin holds leading claims in the Outstanding Breeder Award as well.

Essential Quality became the first Godolphin horse to capture a Triple Crown race when taking the Belmont Stakes and the four-time G1 scorer, recipient of the Champion 2YO Male prize in 2020, features among three finalists for the Eclipse Award for Champion 3YO Male.

Mystic Guide and Maxfield enjoyed significant G1 wins in the Dubai World Cup Sponsored By Emirates Airline and the Clark Stakes. Both are in the frame for the Champion Older Male category.

All three of Godolphin’s Breeders’ Cup heroes are also among the finalists. Modern Games could become the first European-based horse in 20 years to be crowned Champion 2YO Male, while Space Blues and Yibir are challenging for the Champion Male Turf Older Horse title.

The Dubai World Cup Carnival kicked off at Meydan in its new Friday evening slot last week and Godolphin didn’t have to wait long to post a winner, with Dubai Future scoring impressively in the Listed Dubai Racing Club Classic.

This week’s meeting features the G2 Al Fahidi Fort and the G2 Al Rashidiya, a race won in recent years by G1 victors Benbatl and Barney Roy. Another strong Godolphin showing is expected throughout the card.