How involved is the head of Godolphin, Sheik Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum?

[Lauruffian]

I love Sovereignty and Bill Mott, but the Godolphin* Sheik Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum as a person…mmmm, no. Hard pass. That said, I haven’t seen him or anyone related to him around these big races anymore when they used to be quite visible. Granted, post-9/11, I gather it was not the best idea. Considering the sheik’s international legal issues and human rights violations, I’m sure even bringing him up is avoided by media but it makes it look like he is uninvolved except for money.

*Edited to add: I swore the Godolphin was the term/title used for the leader or some sort of royal of the UAE—I know racing TV personalities referred to him as such during broadcasts when I was younger and it stuck with me. Apparently I have been wrong for decades.

[MHM]

When I did a tour at Keeneland a couple of years ago, the tour guide pointed out a garbage can near where the horses entered the sales pavilion where the bidders could see them.

The tour guide said that was where the sheik would stand to take a last look at the horses before they walked in, and then he would call his person out front and tell them whether or not to bid on the horses.

Whether that is actually true or not, I couldn’t say. But that was what the tour guide told me.

[Mara]

I’m not convinced Mohammed was unaware of the planeloads of “supplements” that were making their way into the yards of his Dubawi trainers in Britain fifteen or so years ago.

All accounts of the sheikh’s falling out with Henry Cecil agree that it was Mo personally who made the decision to fire Cecil. They’d had a disagreement over the soundness of the colt Mark of Esteem; Cecil’s unforgivable sin was making the argument public.

As far as the US, @Texarkana has some knowledge. By all accounts Darley is a great place to work and they take very good care of their employees.

[LaurieB]

I’ve never heard Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum referred to as “the Godolphin”. Godolphin is the name of his worldwide TB racing and breeding operation. Sheikh Mohammed is a lifelong horseman. In the past, he was very involved in the U.S. branch of the operation; he was very visible at the Keeneland sales for years (examining horses and deciding which ones to buy). I believe he still attends sales and races in Europe and Dubai.

[Ghazzu]

@LaurieB

I’ve never heard Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum referred to as “the Godolphin”.

Neither have I.
I always thought the name of the operation was a tip of the kuffiyeh to the Godolphin Arabian, one of the progenitors of the TB.

[NaturallyHappy]

@Ghazzu

I always thought the name of the operation was a tip of the kuffiyeh to the Godolphin Arabian, one of the progenitors of the TB.

Me, too.

[Lauruffian]

Ugh! How embarrassing. I swore the Godolphin was the term/title used for the leader or some sort of royal of the UAE—I know racing TV personalities referred to Sheik Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum as such during broadcasts when I was younger and it stuck with me. Apparently I have been wrong for decades.

[Ghazzu]

It is originally from a title, but the title was “Earl of Godolphin”.
The second Earl was the one who had The Godolphin Arabian and stood him at stud.

[Lauruffian]

Ahhhh. It’s been a few decades since I read that book, but I did love it! My favorite Marguerite Henry novel.

[LaurieB]

@Lauruffian

Ahhhh. It’s been a few decades since I read that book, but I did love it! My favorite Marguerite Henry novel.

Mine too.

[Janet]

The Godolphin Arabian (c1724 - 1753), one of the foundation sires of the TB breed, was owned by Francis Godolphin, 2nd (and last) Earl of Godolphin (1678 -1766), an ENGLISH courtier and politician, as well as a horse racing fan.

The name “Godolphin” comes from a manor in Cornwall.

[Texarkana]

So I can’t say I know Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, but I did get to meet him and Princess Haya many years ago. They brought ME a gift. ME! (not just me, but gifts for all who where employed where I worked… who expects royalty to bring you a gift?)

Then many years later a cause I was very passionate about was in financial crisis. In tweeting and emailing everyone I knew of influence, I added “him” (or whoever reads his email) to the list. And he (or whoever reads those pleas) sent a large, undisclosed amount of money to the organization. I was shocked. SHOCKED.

And if there is such a thing as reincarnation, coming back as a horse in the Darley program seems like as good of luck as anything.

So while you can’t overlook the human rights atrocities, I would not feel guilty rooting for the horse. Even if you despise the person, there are a lot of good horseman involved in the overall organization. And it’s not like horses choose their people.

[MHM]

Speaking of Godolphin.

24K views · 715 reactions | The tradition continues! 🛶 DraftKings...

[Willesdon]

Many, many years ago, Sheikh Mohammed had two fillies running in The Oaks at Epsom. One won the Classic race, the other broke down a fulong or so from the finish, standing on three legs and very looking sorry for herself. The Sheikh didn’t go to the winners enclosure but instead went down to see the injured horse for himself. That won my respect for a horseman. I suspect as absolute power corrupts absolutely it might explain some of his deeply dodgy behaviors in recent years.

[MHM]

Was he the one who got in a lot of trouble for the treatment of his endurance horses that he rode himself? Or am I thinking of a different person?

[Mara]

I think that was one or more of his brothers and/or cousins, maybe a son.

[Texarkana]

@MHM

Was he the one who got in a lot of trouble for the treatment of his endurance horses that he rode himself? Or am I thinking of a different person?

Yes. I think both he and his son have been suspended by the FEI at times. Bad tests, one of them faked the horse’s identify, I think horses even died.

It’s hard to resolve all that versus the premium care the thoroughbreds receive.

[CuriosoJorge]

There is also the small (/s) matter of his treatment of his daughters and one of his wives, Princess Haya, the former FEI president, who escaped to Europe with her small children to escape him.

[MHM]

@CuriosoJorge

There is also the small (/s) matter of his treatment of his daughters and one of his wives, Princess Haya, the former FEI president,

Do you mean he had multiple wives at the same time? Or that was his one wife at that time?

[Mara]

He’s had eleven wives, but is divorced from all except for his first one.