Godolphin The elite Godolphin operation was founded by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid al Maktoum, the United Arab Emirates Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai. Sheikh Mohammed races personally under the silks of Darley, which operates its own extensive racing and breeding operation around the world. His runners had compiled a dazzling record of success in England, helping him to win the leading owners' title nearly every year between 1985 and 1999. In 1992, Sheikh Mohammed had the inspiration to transfer some of his horses from the cold English winter to sunny Dubai. This winter migration soon gave rise to Godolphin. Comprising the very best of the Maktoum family's racing stock, the Godolphin horses winter in Dubai before fanning out to their English or American headquarters for their global campaigns. Godolphin achieved its first major victory with Balanchine in the 1994 Epsom Oaks. Since then, horses sporting the royal blue silks have won Group/Grade 1 races in no fewer than 12 countries.
