2021 Eclipse Awards: Godolphin

Dubai ruler Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid al-Maktoum’s international Godolphin operation had another banner year and is looking to add more hardware to its already glittering trophy case. Godolphin is a finalist for 2021 Eclipse Awards as both outstanding owner and breeder.

The operation won Eclipse Awards as outstanding owner in 2009, 2012, and 2020. It also, under its Darley name, tied with Lael Stables in the voting for outstanding owner of 2006. Godolphin, as Darley, won the Eclipse for outstanding breeder in 2012.

Godolphin’s North American division established a single-season record as 2021’s leading owner by earnings, according to the season’s final statistics from Equibase. Godolphin – with 84 North American wins from 479 starts – had earnings of $17,403,204, smashing the former single-season record of $12.2 million set in 2013 by Kenneth L. and Sarah K. Ramsey. With many of its runners homebreds carrying its distinctive blue silks, Godolphin also topped the individual breeders list in North America with $18,447,150 in earnings.

Godolphin was led by 2020 Eclipse Award champion and 2021 finalist Essential Quality, who counted the Belmont Stakes and Runhappy Travers Stakes among his five graded stakes scores on the season. Godolphin also sent out three winners at the 2021 Breeders’ Cup at Del Mar – BC Juvenile Turf first-place finisher Modern Games, BC Mile winner Space Blues, and BC Turf winner Yibir. All three are homebreds, making the operation the first owner and breeder to win three races at a single Breeders’ Cup.

:: Full list of 2021 Eclipse Awards finalists, including profile stories

Godolphin’s other major victories in North America during 2021 included Grade 1 scores by Albahr, Althiqa, Maxfield, Walton Street, and Wild Beauty.

Even more remarkable, Godolphin’s record-setting statistics for 2021 do not factor in its international acclaim, as Mystic Guide won the Dubai World Cup, and its European successes included a Group 1 triumph in France by Space Blues.