At a media conference at Crown Lodge on Wednesday, head trainer John O'Shea, Sheikh
Mohammed's Bloodstock Advisor John Ferguson and Godolphin's Racing Manager and
Managing Director of Darley, in Australia, Henry Plumptre explained the
initiative and the benefits it will bring to Australia.John Ferguson was quick to highlight the background of Darley and the passion for horses and racing that has driven Sheikh Mohammed to establish the finest global breeding and racing operation in the world.
"He spent his childhood in the desert with his brothers riding and racing horses," Ferguson revealed.
"If he had not been born to rule the country, he would have been a horse trainer."
As the ruler of Dubai, Sheikh Mohammed has been able to indulge that passion and the Godolphin racing stable represents the jewels in the crown.
In bringing Godolphin to Australia, Sheikh Mohammed is acknowledging our racing as being on a par with the best in the world and as such we will see greater participation here from their better overseas horses and far less siphoning off of their best Australian horses to the Northern Hemisphere.
"I think what you've got to have is what's best for the horse," John Ferguson said.
"If there is a specific horse that we feel would be better off in Australia, he should come to Australia.
"If we feel there's a horse, that John (O'Shea) feels would be better off in Europe, it should come to Europe.
"I would say, in my opinion, there will be less horses travelling from Australia to Europe to continue for the years ahead.
"I would say there will be the odd one that will travel for a race and return to Australia but that will be Sheikh Mohammed's decision and take each horse as it come.
"We're deadly serious about racing here in Australia so you wouldn't want to be taking horses that are performing at the highest level here."
Set to join John O'Shea in the coming weeks is promising High Chaparral stayer Contributor, who won the Listed Wolferton Handicap at Royal Ascot and was subsequently purchased by Darley with the Melbourne Cup in mind.
A lightly raced four year-old with two wins and three placings from seven starts, Contributor appeals as a bright staying prospect, whether it is for this year's Melbourne Cup or the next.
And so to the spring and what's in the stable right now and ready to go.
Group I MRC Blue Diamond Stakes winner and Golden Slipper runner-up Earthquake is back and ready to roll.
Still a touch wintery in the coat, she'll be looking a million dollars in a month's time when it matters and her backside may be all her rivals see of her this spring.
Rising four year-old Sidestep went to the paddock at the top of his game with a win in the Group II ATC Royal Sovereign Stakes and looked fit and sleek for his return.
Second in the Golden Slipper at two, Sidestep is a sibling to Group I winner Skilled and Group II winner Ambidexter, who are both now at stud and this son of Exceed and Excel is poised to follow suit, hopefully with a Group I win next to his name by the end of the new season.
A tall, imposing individual, Guelph's half-brother Ghibellines mixed his form at two, although showed us his true ability when winning the Group II ATC Todman Stakes.
His sire Shamardal (USA) has thrown plenty of good milers and middle distance horses and on type and appearance, Ghibellines looks as though he too may appreciate a trip and let's not forget his grand-mother Camarena did win a Queensland Derby.
Placed in the Group I ATC Champagne Stakes at his last run before spelling Lonhro colt Kumaon is one of a number of colts on the Caulfield Guineas trail and comes from the family of Group I VATC Thousand Guineas winner Shame.
Sheikh Mohammed might be looking at bringing in stayers to target our feature races, but they have one stayer here ready to go in Tupac Amaru. Fifth in the Group I VRC Victoria Derby and second in the ATC Australian Derby, the rising four year-old by Street Cry (IRE) gives the impression he will stay all day.
Darley shuttler Medgalia D'Oro (USA) has had some promising two year-olds this season in his first Australian crop and when you consider he is a far better sire of three year-olds going on his North American results, we are entitled to have high expectations of them this spring.
Two that were presented to the media are the already stakes-placed filly Shaumori and stylish colt Meursault, who won impressively at his only start at the Hawkesbury stand-alone meeting.
A horse that seems to bring a real excitement with him is Lonhro colt Sarajevo, a compact, muscular bay with a twinkle in his eye.
He looked well above average at his only run when winning easily at Randwick back in April and has only to run up to his looks and impressive international pedigree to become a star!
A half-brother to minor stakes-winner Ludka, Sarajevo is from the unraced Danehill mare Laleta (IRE), a half-sister to Group I Irish Oaks winner Lailani.
Poking her nose over a stable door at the end of the parade ring was this grey filly, who won the heart of our co-photographer Jasmine Haynes.
Snow White is yet to live up to the deeds of her big brother, Golden Slipper hero, Pierro, but it's early days and with just two runs under her belt this blue-blooded filly may yet win a race before a stud career beckons.
All images Jack and Jasmine Haynes
