Godolphin and Darley – the global racing and breeding empires of Sheikh Mohammed – will merge into a new streamlined Godolphin operation in the new year.
Sheikh Mohammed’watches his pride and joy
The Darley banner will be used solely as a brand to promote the operation’s stallions.
Sheikh Mohammed’s bloodstock adviser John Ferguson has been appointed chief executive and racing manager of the new-look Godolphin.
A successful jumps trainer, Ferguson will hand in his license at the end of April next year in order to give his full attention to Godolphin. The best horses, who ran in the ownership of Bloomfields, will return to Godolphin and be trained by Charlie Appleby.
“It’s an exciting new chapter in the Godolphin story,” said Ferguson. “Our long-term objective is to improve on Godolphin’s results on the racetrack. I feel honoured to be appointed chief executive and racing manager, but I realise that it will require more of my time and attention.”
He added: “I am very grateful to Sheikh Mohammed for giving me the horses to send jumping in the first place. In fact, he wanted me to continue, but I could see that Godolphin must always be a priority and requires my undivided attention.
“It makes sense for the racing and breeding operations to merge. One is sourcing the other, and a well-planned, common strategy can only strengthen both.
“We must ensure that Godolphin continues to represent excellence in racing, and that the brand serves as a constant reminder of the vibrancy and energy of Dubai.”
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