Godolphin introduce operational changes

Godolphin has given its trainers ultimate responsibility for running their horse racing stables and scrapped a racing manager post to improve oversight, it said on Tuesday.

The operational changes should also help safeguard horse welfare and ensure compliance with all relevant laws and regulations, the stable, owned by His Highness Shaikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, said on its website after undertaking an internal review.

“Trainers Saeed bin Suroor of Al Quoz Stables and Godolphin Stables, and Charlie Appleby of Moulton Paddocks and Godolphin Marmoom Stables will be the people ultimately responsible for their particular stables,” Godolphin said.

“They hold the delegated authority of the owner as defined by the condition of their license. As a result of these changes, the position of Racing Manager for Godolphin no longer exists,” it added.

On Monday, Simon Crisford, Godolphin’s manager for over 22 years, said he had resigned from his post. He will now become a racing adviser of Shaikh Mohammed.

Godolphin now plans to announce a new board of directors, whose members will include racehorse owner Shaikh Juma bin Dalmook Al Maktoum, the stable said.

Hugh Anderson will become managing director of Godolphin Management Company Limited, overseeing all services in support of the trainers. He will remain Chief Operating Officer, reporting to the board of directors.

Godolphin trainers in the United States, France and Ireland will report to Owner Representative John Ferguson

Godolphin have won 209 Group One races in different countries since Shaikh Mohammed established training operations in Dubai and England in 1992.