While there are a vast number of narratives that make horse racing as a sport so exciting, there are very few more enthralling than those storylines surrounding the Sheikh Mohammed’s Godolphin stable.
Founded in 1992, Godolphin has been one of a handful of consortiums who have had a stranglehold on the best breeding bloodlines and top-flight horses right across the world. As you could imagine, with that luxury comes great success. While there’s no doubting that the Sheikh’s astronomical wealth has played an enormous role in the stable’s accomplishments – he has also shown over the years that his astute appointments at an operational, breeding and training level – along with his well-timed expansion efforts have proven to be equally as important.
With one of the most recognisable silks in the sport and the talented horses, trainers and jockeys to match – racing fans, particularly those who bet on horses, watch on with great interest every season to see how the famed Godolphin outfit performs.
This year is no different, and given the success they had in 2021, which saw British trainer Charlie Appleby win 17 Group 1 victories alone – the Sheikh and his trainers weren’t short on pressure this season.
At the time of writing, Godolphin had secured 401 victories across more than 2,200 runs for the year. That included 99 Stakes triumphs and 15 Group 1 wins, a strong showing with roughly three months remaining in the flat-racing season.
If you are interested in delving a bit further into Godolphin’s statistics this calendar year, read on as we dissect two of the group’s lead trainers.
Charlie Appleby
At home, Appleby has built somewhat on his incredible performances in 2021, having won more than 100 races at a winning percentage of around 31%. That includes 12 Group successes, with Native Trail’s triumph in the Irish 2,000 Guineas and Coroebus’ nail-biting win in the St James’s Palace Stakes at Ascot being a couple of this season’s standouts.
However, it’s hard to say that Appleby’s season has lived up to expectations – as while he is still mustering up plenty of wins – he is not securing victories in the high-profile fixtures with the similar frequency he did last year.
Having reigned supreme in the Epsom Derby, Irish Derby, the Vincent O’Brien National Stakes and the St Leger Stakes in 2021 to name a few, last season was always going to be difficult to replicate. In saying that though, the season isn’t over, and he still has a few meetings left to stamp his authority on the remainder of the flat-racing schedule.
His best shot at another Group 1 victory is New London, who has firmed as the favourite at Doncaster’s St Leger after Westover and Francesco Clemente were ruled out.
James Cummings
Australian-based Godolphin trainer James Cummings has won 98 races from 544 starts in 2022, with arguably his most impressive win coming this month when his colt Anamoe won the Winx Stakes at Randwick. And in doing so, he became just the second colt-entire this century to win at Group 1 level in each of his first three seasons.
“Anamoe is a proper horse isn’t he,” Cummings said.
“He is the type of horse that can carry a stable. This is a great result for the team. I’m a bit surprised I’m upset about it, but he means a lot to us.
“We are very lucky to have him. He is like our Dancing Brave. He’s a pretty special horse to have in work.”
