2012 Eclipse Awards: Godolphin Racing LLC

It had been six years since Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid al-Maktoum’s Godolphin Racing last won the Dubai World Cup, and when the stable’s signature blue silks entered the winner’s circle at Meydan Race Course with Monterosso, it capped off a dominant evening for the operation.

In addition to winning the Dubai World Cup’s feature event, Godolphin finished second in that race with Capponi and won a pair of races on the undercard to help boost the Maktoum family’s 2012 earnings for North America and Dubai to $13,449,075.

Founded in 1992 by Sheikh Mohammed, Godolphin has become a global power, with graded or group stakes winners in 12 different countries. This year, Godolphin also led all owners by graded stakes winners in North America and on the Dubai World Cup card with 15. No other person or group eligible for the outstanding owner Eclipse Award won more than nine.

Domestically, Godolphin’s stable was led by 3-year-old Alpha, who became the 17th horse since 1960 to complete the Jim Dandy and Travers Stakes double at Saratoga. Also carrying the Godolphin silks was It’s Tricky, who won the Grade 1 Ogden Phipps Handicap in May.

Sheikh Mohammed is a two-time winner of the Eclipse Award as outstanding owner, winning in 2009 with Godolphin and in 2006 with Darley Stables. Champions campaigned by his operations include Midshipman (2-year-old male, 2008), Tempera (2-year-old female, 2001), Bernardini (3-year-old male, 2006, as part of Darley), Fantastic Light (turf male, 2001), Daylami (turf male, 1999), Singspiel (turf male, 1996), and Pebbles (turf female, 1985). He also won a Special Eclipse Award in 2001.