Godolphin's hugely successful season in America has been officially recognised after the Dubai racing operation scooped 2009 Owner of the Year in the Eclipse horse racing awards. It is the first time that Godolphin, founded by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, has won the coveted prize. The blue colours of Godolphin were carried to nine Grade One victories across the US last season, with the fillies putting together a scintillating performance that saw Flashing and Music Note take two wins apiece and Seventh Street one, all at the highest level.
It was a year when Godolphin also claimed a fourth Breeders' Cup success with Vale of York. That victory in the Juvenile Stakes was a historic one as the Emirati jockey, Ahmed Ajtebi rode the two-year-old to success. Pyro won the Grade One Forego Stakes at Saratoga while Gayego took the Grade One Ancient Title Stakes on Santa Anita's Pro-Ride. Vineyard Haven also scored big for the Al Quoz headquartered stable, when he won the Grade One Frank J De Francis Memorial Dash at Laurel Park.
Godolphin will now be planning a similar assault on home turf in the Dubai International Racing Carnival next week. Meanwhile, the Dubai Racing Club (DRC) are targeting the American super mare, Zenyatta for a tilt at the US$10 million (Dh36.7m) Dubai World Cup. Overtures are being made to the owners of the unbeaten Breeders' Cup Classic winner, according to DRC chief executive Frank Gabriel. "With our aim to secure a line-up of the highest quality for the Dubai World Cup, a horse of the calibre of Zenyatta will be of paramount importance," Gabriel told the Racing Post.
Rocket Man, Singapore's accomplished sprinter, is also expected to run in the Carnival after recovering from a fractured cannon bone sustained in July. @Email:stregoning@thenational.ae