Dubai-owned int'l stable Godolphin announced that it "will set up a permanent base in Sydney, Australia," according to Leslie Wilson Jr. of GULF NEWS. The new enterprise "has the potential to augment Godolphin’s global expansion plan and enhance its status in a jurisdiction that boasts the third highest prize money in the world" after the U.S. and Japan.
The stable, which has key bases in Dubai, the U.K., Ireland, France and the U.S., "will also become the largest racing operation in the Southern Hemisphere from where it will attempt to end its long wait for a Melbourne Cup triumph" (GULF NEWS, 7/16). Sheikh Mohammed’s bloodstock advisor John Ferguson said, "Godolphin represents the crown jewels of Sheikh Mohammed’s horseracing operations and the establishment of a permanent presence in Australia is not only testament to his on-going commitment to the racing industry but also to the country at large" (PA, 7/16). In Sydney, "the world famous royal blue colours will replace Darley's maroon and white on all O'Shea-trained runners from the start of the new season" on Aug. 1.
Darley "will remain as the Australian breeding arm for Sheikh Mohammed, with horses racing outside of Crown Lodge to still sport the maroon and white silks." It means the constant exodus of some of Darley's best-performed gallopers to Godolphin in Europe "is likely to slow, with O'Shea to be provided more ammunition for cups campaigns in the spring" (SYDNEY MORNING HERALD, 7/16).
