John Ferguson has stepped down as chief executive of Godolphin, ending a 25-year professional association with Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai.
The news came yesterday and he will be replaced on an interim basis by Joe Osborne, who controls the Irish arm of the Dubai-based organisation.
Ferguson, who previously oversaw all of Sheikh Mohammed’s bloodstock, believed his position was untenable after long-standing trainer Saeed bin Suroor revealed in an interview in England last week that relations between the two men were not good.
“At times such as these what matters is the future, and my stepping down will allow everyone to draw a line under things and move forward,” Ferguson said in a statement.
“The course of action is best for everyone.
“All the staff at Godolphin are wonderful people who work so hard for the greater good and I want to thank each and every one.
“His Highness Sheikh Mohammed has given me so much over the years – trust, opportunities, key experiences and perhaps most importantly kindness and counsel.
“For all of these things, I thank him with all of my heart.”
Osborne said in a statement of his own: “We are committed to our objective of achieving success for his Highness Sheikh Mohammed and his family. Our thanks go to John Ferguson for his long-standing contribution to Godolphin and Darley.”
The development came after Godolphin had endured a disappointing time at the Derby at Epsom on Saturday, with Benbati the best of their three runners finishing fifth.
Bin Suroor had hinted that changes were underway at Godolphin, something he welcomed.
“Now Sheikh Mohammed makes the decisions at Stanley House, nobody else. I like things this way,” he told the Racing Post.
“Everything was top class in past times, from the work-riders to the people in the office, everyone involved, and now I’m trying to build that up again for the future.
sports@thenational.ae
sports@thenational.ae
Follow us on Twitter @NatSportUAE
Like us on Facebook at facebook.com/TheNationalSport
The more serious side of specialty coffee
While the taste of beans and freshness of roast is paramount to the specialty coffee scene, so is sustainability and workers’ rights.
The bulk of genuine specialty coffee companies aim to improve on these elements in every stage of production via direct relationships with farmers. For instance, Mokha 1450 on Al Wasl Road strives to work predominantly with women-owned and -operated coffee organisations, including female farmers in the Sabree mountains of Yemen.
Because, as the boutique’s owner, Garfield Kerr, points out: “women represent over 90 per cent of the coffee value chain, but are woefully underrepresented in less than 10 per cent of ownership and management throughout the global coffee industry.”
One of the UAE’s largest suppliers of green (meaning not-yet-roasted) beans, Raw Coffee, is a founding member of the Partnership of Gender Equity, which aims to empower female coffee farmers and harvesters.
Also, globally, many companies have found the perfect way to recycle old coffee grounds: they create the perfect fertile soil in which to grow mushrooms.
'Spies in Disguise'
Director: Nick Bruno and Troy Quane
Stars: Will Smith, Tom Holland, Karen Gillan and Roshida Jones
Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
RESULTS
2pm: Handicap (PA) Dh40,000 (Dirt) 1,200m
Winner: Najem Al Rwasi, Fabrice Veron (jockey), Ahmed Al Shemaili (trainer)
2.30pm: Handicap (PA) Dh40,000 (D) 2,000m
Winner: Fandim, Fernando Jara, Majed Al Jahouri
3pm: Maiden (PA) Dh40,000 (D) 1,700m
Winner: Harbh, Pat Cosgrave, Ahmed Al Mehairbi
3.30pm: Maiden (PA) Dh40,000 (D) 1,700m
Winner: Wakeel W’Rsan, Richard Mullen, Jaci Wickham
4pm: Crown Prince of Sharjah Cup Prestige (PA) Dh200,000 (D) 1,200m
Winner: Jawaal, Fernando Jara, Majed Al Jahouri
4.30pm: Sheikh Ahmed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Cup (TB) Dh200,000 (D) 2,000m
Winner: Tailor’s Row, Royston Ffrench, Salem bin Ghadayer
Sweet%20Tooth
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ECreator%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EJim%20Mickle%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EStarring%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EChristian%20Convery%2C%20Nonso%20Anozie%2C%20Adeel%20Akhtar%2C%20Stefania%20LaVie%20Owen%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ERating%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E2.5%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
