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A couple more:
Could you share with us your and Godolphin’s feelings about
The Observer
article a couple of years ago that took a critical look at Godolphin’s success in the context of the massive investment made?
In general, do you feel that racing is well served by journalism and broadcasting? Is the coverage too critical or not critical enough?
ThanksSimon I have a home in Saratoga Springs and my questions relate to the American operation and the purchase of Greentree.
The American operation seems to be going from strength to strength this year after 2 relatively quiet years. Has the purchase of Greentree contributed to this by having more surface options to train on at Saratoga?
Also are there any former Stonerside 2 year olds that are potentially as good as Midshipman?Midshipman is the best right now but we have some nice two-year-olds and yearlings to follow him through. We will know more about them after the winter.
Greetings Simon.
1) Is the lack of recent support by Godolphin towards the Cox Plate largely due to the unconventional nature of the Moonee Valley track? Or simply a case of no suitable horses who fit the profile for racing in Australia? IE. High speed, push-button acceleration, ability to settle in a start-stop-start pace pattern, acting on very firm ground.
Schedule-wise it surprises me that few Europeans consider the Cox Plate as an option given the international focus between October-December is mainly twelve furlong races (Breeders’ Cup Turf, Japan Cup, Arc), and there is an ideal six weeks between the Cox Plate and the Hong Kong Cup, both run on the same StrathAyr surface.2) Will Godolphin’s recruitment of Australian horses raced under the Darley Australia banner become an ongoing practice?
Thank you.
Dear Mr Crisford
There has been a lot of talk in the press about the need to re-structure flat racing in GB. Does Godolphin hold particular views on what should be done either for the benefit of the sport as a whole or for Darley/Godolphin?
From a different perspective what would Godolphin not want to see in any proposed re-stucturing, again either in the interests of the sport as a whole or Darley/Godolphin in particular?
May I just explain my interest in this subject is from the perspective of an owner (and therefore an occasional buyer of racehorses) and as a regular racegoer.Many Thanks
richard
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Hi Simon,
From a racegoers point of view I’m a huge Godolphin fan and get great pleasure out of watching yourselves and/or Frankie winning a big one.
Please tell me it wasn’t you who decided to pay millions for Kingsfort?
That was a bad old race he won and I think you’ve done your cash in…next time call me first
Joking aside………..well I’m half joking!
Q1.
Who actually makes the final decision on which horses Godolphin buy in private sales?
Sheikh Mohammed makes the final decision but obviously we will all discuss each horse individually before he decides whether he would like to bid on them. Equally, sometimes an owner might approach us to see if we are interested in purchasing a particular horse.
Q2
Are owners required to sign a non disclosure deal regarding purchase prices?
Q3.
I’ve owned a few horses myself and loved nothing more than landing a touch now and then and the crack that went with it.How much do you miss working with that genius of a man Sir Mark Prescott ?
Q4. Gladiatorus was a huge disappointment at Ascot early in the season considering he was then rated No.1 in the world by some.However he seems to be coming back to himself have recently won the Premio Vittorio Di Capua.
How did he come out of the race and can we expect to see him run in the Breeders this year?
Gladiatorus came out of the race well but was disappointing at the Breeders’ Cup. Back to Dubai now for next year’s carnival where we hope he might be able to reproduce his best form. He loved racing at Nad al Sheba and we hope he enjoys it just as much when he runs at the new Meydan racetrack.
Hello Mr Crisford
Firstly, thank you for taking the time to answer our questions.
I would like to ask is there any chance of Fantastic Light returning to the UK in the forseeable future?
Also, I followed Shaweel very closely last year and I understand he has had a slight setback this year. What kind of races is he likely to be aimed at next year and do you think he might stay further than a mile as a 4yo?
And finally, I think the Darley rehoming scheme is an excellent idea but could you tell us a little bit about how horses are selected to join the scheme.
Many thanksCuddles
Hi Simon,
My main question is regarding the American Godolphin string.
In my opinion, Rick Mettee has been one of the most under-rated trainers/assistant trainers of the whole season and it is reasonably disappointing to see the lack of praise from the Media for this ‘shining light’. Could there be an opportunity within the next year or so for Rick to be named the Godolphin USA trainer with Saeed remaining the flagship for Godolphin in the UK/Europe? This may sound controversial but I feel that, from an outsiders point of view, Rick has been fundamental to the non-stop improvement Godolphin have shown in America.
Also, just how highly do Godolphin rate Girolamo? He has to be one of my Top 3 Horses to Follow for the next 12 months. The way he kicked on from Kensei at Belmont last time out was exceptional.
Lastly, do you believe that the press in general have been reasonably harsh in their opinion of ‘Godolphin failing’ considering that Godolphin have a 1 in 4 strike rate this year across the world (150+ wins, 50+ of which are at the very highest level)?No because I think you are relating to just the English press and they are largely only concerned with what happens in the UK and so they only see part of the picture. This is completely understandable just the same as the American press are largely only concerned with American racing. It is worth remembering, however, since 1992 until today Godolphin has operated to a 25% strike rate world wide.
Why do you persist in using Kerrin McEvoy as your No.1 rider in Australia–he is riding winners, but he is slaughtering a lot more
In our opinion, Kerrin McEvoy is a top class jockey who has done a great job for us over the last few years and we will continue to use him when possible. He is riding as well as anyone and gave Crime Scene a great ride in the Melbourne Cup.
hi there
could you tell me how many horses do you keep in the U.K during the winter month’sApproximately 75 two-year-olds will remain in the UK for the winter.
It would be so nice for the formerly successful partnership with Henry Cecil to be resumed even if it were to be with just one or two horses per season.
Are Godolphin averse to this or could it happen?
We have a great relationship with Henry Cecil but Godolphin does not have any plans to have horses with him.
Dear Mr Crisford,
I have been extremly critical of The whole operation’s buying of promising 2yr olds and the whole operation lack of interest in doing the best for the horses sake (ex…shipping horses abroad and then bringing them back before the guineas)
Would Godolphin ever consider leaving the main Classic Hopes in Newmarket instead of moving then back and forth?, also the attrition rate at Godolphin is too high for me. Is there to much of a rush once the European season starts to get the European horses ready and leads to overworking and injury?.
However in saying that Godolphin will also be a great source of excitment to me when they do well with there trained 2yr olds that are brought through the ranks by Saaed to race as older horses. Hopefully the end of season fightback can continue and start earlier for all our sakes.Thank You,
SirHi Simon
First thanks for doing this Q&A.
Q1) – With the current world climate as it is, will the spending power of Goldolphin at the sales slow down? and will they depend on the Darley Breeding operations around the globe for new stock?
Q2) – With the prize money now been more is the states will the boys in blue try to take over racing in the US the same as they did in the UK when they first came into racing in the late 1970’s early 80’s?
Q3) – Which jockey and horse combination has been the best for Goldolphin and why? , Plus which has been the best win for the team in the four corners of the world?
Q4) – Will Goldolphin ever have a horse in the Grand National ?Thanks again for doing the Q&A’s
Zzass
This topic now locked – once Simon has sent through his answers I’ll post them and then re-open the thread for comment.-
NOW UNLOCKED
What i learned from that is Godolphin is a Dubai Stable…..and everything is geared around Dubai. I can now see some reasoning to there actions
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