GODOLPHIN RACING LLC (DARLEY / SHEIKH MOHAMMED BIN RASHID AL MAKTOUM)
• The global racing and breeding operation is the private enterprise of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the prime minister, 13th emir and ruler of Dubai, and the vice president of the United Arab Emirates. Sheikh Mohammed is the inspiration and driving force behind Godolphin Racing, Darley Stable and Darley Stud.
• In 2016, the global racing and breeding operation merged into one seamless operation. The Darley name is now used solely as the stallion brand.
• Godolphin is named in honor of the Godolphin Arabian, one of the three foundation stallions of the modern Thoroughbred.
• Darley, the breeding side, derives its name from the Darley Arabian, another of the three foundation sires to whom all Thoroughbreds trace their lineage.
• Sheikh Mohammed also used to race under the Darley banner. The operation had multiple Breeders’ Cup runners in its maroon and white star-capped silks, including standout winners In the Wings, Barathea and Pebbles.
• Godolphin is headquartered in Dubai and operates in the United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, Australia, Ireland, France, Japan, and the United States.
• Darley America is located in Kentucky at Jonabell Farm in Lexington and Jimmy Bell serves as president.
• Godolphin Racing LLC is the leading money-winning owner in Breeders’ Cup history with purses going into the 2018 championships of $15,061,735. Old rivals Juddmonte Farms, Inc. and the Coolmore partners (Magnier, Tabor and Smith) are second and third.
• Godolphin has won seven Breeders’ Cups as an owner from 91 starters: Daylami (1999 Turf); Fantastic Light (2001 Turf); Tempera (2001 Juvenile Fillies); and Vale of York (2009 Juvenile); Outstrip (2013 Juvenile Turf); Wuheida (2017 Filly & Mare Turf) and Talismanic (2017 Turf)
• Breeders Cup winner Midshipman (2008 Juvenile) carried the Darley silks.
• Darley bred 2001 Juvenile Fillies winner Tempera. More than 55 Breeders’ Cup starters were bred by Darley.
• Godolphin holds the record for most starters (15) in a single Breeders’ Cup (2009).
• Her Royal Highness Princess Haya of Jordan, the wife of Sheikh Mohammed, and Darley Stable won two Breeders’ Cups in 2008 with Donativum (Juvenile Turf) and Raven’s Pass (Classic).
• Godolphin won the Eclipse Award as Outstanding Owner in 2009 and 2012 and Darley was similarly honored in 2006; Darley won the Eclipse Award as Outstanding Breeder in 2012.
• Eclipse Award champion horses have been Questing (3-year-old filly 2012), Midshipman (2- year-old Male 2008), Tempera (2-year-old Female 2001), Fantastic Light (Turf Male 2001), Daylami (Turf Male 1999), Singspiel (Turf Male 1996), and Pebbles (Turf Female 1985).
• The Current Darley America stallion roster is stunning: Alpha, Bernardini, Animal Kingdom, Emcee, Frosted, Girolamo, Hard Spun, Medaglia d’Oro, Midshipman, Nyquist, Street Boss and Street Sense.
• Employs a variety of top trainers worldwide, including the American-based Kiaran McLaughlin, Tom Albertrani, Eoin Harty, Richard Mandella, Bob Baffert and Michael Stidham
• Enters the 2018 Breeders’ Cup with a strong hand, including Dubai World Cup winner Thunder Snow (Classic).
• 2017 Filly & Mare Turf contender Nezwah (GB) is a Darley-bred owned by Sheikh Ahmed bin Mohammed Al Maktoum, the son of Sheikh Mohammed.
• In 2016, homebred Frosted, now a stallion standing at Darley America, demonstrated his brilliance in by winning the Metropolitan Handicap-G1 by a stunning margin in record time on Belmont Stakes day at Belmont and then taking the Whitney-G1 around two turns at Saratoga. The Met Mile was a “Win and You’re In” race for the Mile and the Whitney got him an all- expense paid trip to the Classic. Frosted finished 6th in the Classic. Sentiero Italia was 10th in the 2016 Filly & Mare Turf, Home of the Brave was 11th in the Turf Sprint and Dutch Connection (GB) was 12th in the Mile.
• In 2016, Godolphin actively culled some of its extensive worldwide stable. There were 65 yearlings consigned to the Keeneland September Yearling sale, according to Daily Racing Form, after 72 horses had been sold at the Tattersalls July sale in England and 33 fillies and mares were dispersed at the Inglis sale in Australia. Despite the cutback, in 2017 Godolphin owned more than 5,000 horses, including breeding stock, around the globe.
• On October 5 Godolphin purchased the most expensive yearling sold in the world to date, paying $4 million guineas at Tattersalls for a Galileo filly out of 2013 Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Turf winner and champion Female Turf Horse Dank.
• At the 2017 Keeneland September Yearling sale, Godolphin was the third-leading buyer, acquiring 17 horses for a combined $8,065,000. At the Fasig-Tipton Saratoga August Yearling sale, Godolphin went to $995,000 for a War Front colt, who is a full brother to dual Grade 1 winner and 2017 Filly & Mare Turf contender Avenge.
• Godolphin has been crowned Champion British Owner on nine occasions - 1996, 1998, 1999, 2001, 2004, 2006, 2007, 2012 & 2013. • Sheikh Mohammed founded the world’s richest race, the $6 million Dubai Cup-G1UAE, and his horses have won it seven times. The race is once again the richest in the world, now with a $12 million purse.
• Has won more than 200 Grade 1 and Group 1 races in 12 countries across four continents.
• 2006 Preakness-G1 winner Bernardini, who carried the Darley silks, is Godolphin’s only Triple Crown race winner. The homebred also won the Travers-G1 and Jockey Club Gold Cup-G1 against older horses before a game second to Invasor in the 2006 Breeders’ Cup Classic as the favourite.
• Dual Grade 1 winner Alpha, sired by Bernardini, dead-heated to victory in the 2012 Travers.
• The Godolphin Foundation takes the lead in the lifetime care of horses and the professional development of people working in the Thoroughbred industry.
• The Godolphin Flying Start program, formerly Darley Flying Start, is a unique management and leadership program specializing in the Thoroughbred racing and breeding industry to produce committed leaders. It is accredited by University College Dublin Michael Smurfit Graduate Business School.
• Sheikh Mohammed’s brother, HRH Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum, is the owner of the international racing and breeding operation Shadwell (Stable and Stud), which won the 2006 Classic with the McLaughlin-trained Invasor, Invasor was North America’s 2006 Horse of the Year.