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Godolphin set for full-time operation in Australia

John O’Shea will take the reins as the outfit’s head trainer

Godolphin have announced their intention to set up a full-time working operation in Australia, where John O’Shea will take the reins as the outfit’s head trainer.

Horses in O’Shea’s care will wear the stable’s prestigious royal blue silks from Friday, August 1^st, with Godolphin — which founded by His Highness Shaikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai — currently boasting 211 Grade-Group One (G1) winners since its inception in 1994.

Godolphin’s decision to create a permanent yard Down Under makes it the largest horseracing set-up in the Southern Hemisphere and increases its very strong presence in key equine markets across the world, including France, Ireland, the UK, the USA and – of course – this emirate.

“Godolphin is the most prestigious thoroughbred stable in the world and one of the most successful,” O’Shea said.

“His Highness is a true horseman himself and I consider it an honour to be given this responsibility. I look forward to the start of the season and to contributing to Godolphin’s continued global success.”

Godolphin’s racing manager and managing director of Darley in Oz, Henry Plumptre, commented: “This is a significant moment for everyone involved in Australian racing. It confirms the quality and popularity of the racing industry here.

“In Australia, we have collectively won 32 G1 races to date, with world-class names such as Sepoy, Helmet, Appearance, Guelph and Earthquake.

“The whole team is delighted that the best horses will now race in the famous royal blue silks, not only here in Australia, but around the world.”

This development, which represents a ‘serious and ongoing commitment to the Australian racing industry’ by Shaikh Mohammed, is also seemingly ‘reflective of the ever-growing relationship between Dubai and Australia’ according to the official statement released early on Wednesday morning.

Australia has become the fastest-growing inbound market in terms of air travel since the partnership between leading airlines Emirates and Qantas, with 360,000 more Australians having visited Dubai since that deal was signed in September 2012.

“Over the last 15 years, Shaikh Mohammed has led Darley’s development and investment in Australia with incredible success and this announcement is a natural next step,” said John Ferguson, who is the bloodstock advisor to Shaikh Mohammed at Godolphin Racing.