Sheikh Mohammed's contribution and passion for horse racing is matched by no other

niall 15:00 29/03/2019
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  • Few individuals have played such an important role in sport as His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, be it as a competitor, owner, sponsor and/or a patron.

    A highly successful endurance rider himself, he is one of the leading thoroughbred owners and his Godolphin team remain one of the most potent forces in horse racing.

    Named after the Godolphin Arabian, one of the three stallions which came from Arabia to Europe in the 1700s, His Highness founded the operation in 1992 and it has gone on to become a powerhouse in global sport.

    Since its inception more than a quarter of a century ago, Godolphin have won more than 6,000 races in 14 countries, employing 1,500 people to look after 4,500 horses across four continents.

    At Meydan, he hosts the world’s best racehorses, trainers and jockeys at the richest race meeting, the $12 million Dubai World Cup, the culmination of the illustrious Dubai World Cup Carnival. This is all part of his drive to promote Dubai through sport, a project he has done incredibly well over the past four decades.

    And that’s only a small portion of the fantastic work being done on a day-to-day basis to enhance the lives of UAE residents and make the country a better place.

    Godolphin jockey William Buick, who has ridden more than 300 winners for the Dubai-based operation, including Epsom Derby and Dubai World Cup winners, hailed Sheikh Mohammed’s influence as both a person and leader.

    “His passion for horses in general goes a long way back,” he said. “It’s his heritage.

    “It’s in his blood. He’s a complete horse man. He knows his horses He’s got immense experience. His contribution to the sport on a worldwide scale is matched by none.”

    Buick (pictured) rode Masar to Epsom Derby success last June – a historic first win for Godolphin in the greatest flat race in the world.

    To see Sheikh Mohammed and the royal family’s reaction was a joy to behold after finishing second on three previous occasions.

    “Getting the Epsom Derby win last year in his own Godolphin colours, it was an incredibly well-deserved win for him. Nobody deserves that more than him,” said Buick.
    Masar means “journey” in Arabic and it has been an incredible road to success up until this point for Godolphin, with much more to follow.

    In the last year alone, the home team have looked a cut above the competition, winning 600 races in total, including the Melbourne Cup, Epsom Derby and Dubai World Cup. One key way Sheikh Mohammed contributes to nurturing young racing enthusiasts around the world is through the Godolphin Flying Start Competition, a unique training programme founded in 2003 for students int-erested in the racehorse business.

    Twelve candidates are selected each year to join the two-year full scholarship, providing them with professional training and experience unmatched by any other in the thoroughbred industry.

    Clodagh Kavangh, manager of Flying Start Ireland, said: “Without the support and resources of Sheikh Mohammed, this would never have happened or continue.

    “On my Masters programme nobody can believe that this man has been pumping money into Flying Start for over 15 years and that hardly any of them work for him.

    “It appears that no other industry has a leader doing something as significant as this. A lot of people do say that this will be his greatest legacy.”

    His legacy is unmatched and can also been seen in his Masar Godolphin programme, which gives young UAE nationals the chance to experience the world of international thoroughbred racing and breeding.

    These are just some of the small details which have gone into making Godolphin a giant in international horse racing. All of which are Sheikh Mohammed’s ideas, visions and influence.

    Three weeks ago at Super Saturday, Godolphin won four of the seven races, with Blue Point, Divine Image, Old Persian and Dream Castle all in imperious form ahead of the Dubai World Cup.

    Sheikh Mohammed was trackside and looked every bit enthused, passionate and excited by the racing and seeing his beloved horses secure victory.

    As World Cup night approaches on Saturday, Godolphin will be chasing a record ninth triumph at the world’s richest race.

    The greatest trainer of them all is eight-time World Cup winning handler Saeed bin Suroor who has been working with Godolphin since 1994.

    The Dubai native spoke of Sheikh Mohammed’s masterful touch, saying: “He’s the best supporter in the world for horse racing. He loves them.

    “Ever since he was born, he loves them. Even if it’s endurance or flat racing.

    “Even yesterday he was there at the track. He loves them. I talk to him all the time, the plan, what we do, he’s an expert.

    “He’s always keen in the sport. He’s done so great for horse racing.”

    His contribution to horse racing and society in general has been astounding and can never truly be gauged, such is the tireless work he does on a daily basis.
    The last 25 years have flown by, but Godolphin’s vision for success is clear thanks to the influence of Sheikh Mohammed.

    His commitment to building something permanent, much like Dubai itself, will leave a great legacy.

    memorable victories at the Dubai World Cup, Epsom Derby and Melbourne Cup.

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