2025 Eclipse Awards: Godolphin

Dubai ruler Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid al-Maktoum’s international Godolphin operation is yet again a finalist for both the Eclipse Award for outstanding owner and outstanding breeder, looking to sweep for the fifth consecutive year after breakthrough accomplishments.

Godolphin earned its long-sought win in the Grade 1 Kentucky Derby presented by Woodford Reserve when homebred Sovereignty swept to victory in the classic – 24 hours after another homebred, Good Cheer, captured the Grade 1 Longines Kentucky Oaks. Godolphin became the first sole owner-breeder to sweep both races since legendary Calumet Farm in 1952.

Adding to an unprecedented first weekend in May, Godolphin added the English 2000 Guineas and 1000 Guineas, with Ruling Court and Desert Flower, respectively.

Sovereignty continued on to win the Grade 1 Belmont Stakes presented by NYRA Bets, Grade 2 Jim Dandy, and Grade 1 DraftKings Travers Stakes and is the favorite to be named Horse of the Year.

:: Full list of 2025 Eclipse Awards finalists, including profile stories

Godolphin’s other Grade 1 performers this year, in North America alone, included Notable Speech’s victories in the Rogers Woodbine Mile and FanDuel Breeders’ Cup Mile presented by the PDJF; the globe-trotting Rebel’s Romance returning to the United States to win the Joe Hirsch Turf Classic before finishing second in his attempt at a third Longines Breeders’ Cup Turf victory; and El Cordobes winning the Resorts World Casino Sword Dancer before finishing third in both the Joe Hirsch Turf Classic and Longines Breeders’ Cup Turf.

Overall, Godolphin led both the owner and breeder lists by earnings, graded stakes wins, and Grade 1 wins. It dominated the breeder list by graded wins, in particular, with 25 to nine for WinStar Farm.

Godolphin or its Darley banner – the brand that it stands its stallions under – has won or tied for the outstanding owner award in 2006, 2009, 2012, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, and 2024. It has been honored as outstanding breeder in 2012, 2021, 2022, 2023, and 2024.

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