Sheikh Mohammed’s love affair with British racing

On behalf of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed John Ferguson reminded those attending the Gimcrack Dinner in York (UK) on Tuesday of his passion for British racing, and his unwavering commitment to the sport that has given him so much enjoyment over the past four decades.

This was the 246th annual Gimcrack dinner, a prestigious event that honours a famous 18th Century racehorse, who won 27 races.

It is tradition that the owner of the winner of the G2 Gimcrack Stakes, run at York's Ebor meeting in August, be invited to address members of the Gimcrack Club. This year's winner, Blue Point, is owned by Sheikh Mohammed's Godolphin and trained by Charlie Appleby.

John Ferguson, Godolphin's chief executive and racing manager, spoke on behalf of Sheikh Mohammed at the dinner, which took place at York racecourse.

"When I asked Sheikh Mohammed what the theme of this speech should be, he was very clear," Ferguson said.

"He wanted me to remind you of his passion for British racing and the joy it has brought him.

"At Darley and Godolphin, we see this every day. And it's there for everyone else to see in the names Sheikh Mohammed adopted for his racing and breeding interests.

"The Darley Arabian and the Godolphin Arabian: two stallions from his homeland whose influence on the thoroughbred has been so profound.

"This is an aspect of British racing that has always fascinated Sheikh Mohammed. Its rich history, and the fusion of that history with his own," he said.

Ferguson pointed out that Blue Point had become the 10th winner of the Gimcrack owned by a member of the Maktoum family or one of their friends.

"Such numbers are clearly indicative of a love affair with the sport, and it has been this way for four decades," Ferguson said.

"Some of you will know the story of Hatta, Sheikh Mohammed's first racehorse -- of how he travelled to Brighton racecourse by train in 1977 to watch her make a winning debut.

"By the time Hatta won the Molecomb Stakes at Goodwood the following month, Sheikh Mohammed was committed. He had already been touched by British racing," he said.

Sheikh Mohammed's first racing experience had been watching Royal Palace win the G1 Two Thousand Guineas from the Silver Ring at Newmarket in 1967.
He had also been at Salisbury when Mill Reef made a winning debut in 1970.

"These became defining images in his mind, ones that would propel his involvement in British racing to the levels they are today," Ferguson explained.

He went on to point out that Sheikh Mohammed had now owned the winners of 253 Group One races in Europe, with the total swelling to 419 with the inclusion of Maktoum family members and friends.

Ferguson predicted: "Those numbers will rise higher in the years ahead, but I highlight them because they make a definitive statement about Sheikh Mohammed's unwavering commitment to the sport."

He went on to show Sheikh Mohammed's contribution to racing away from the racecourse - his financial backing for Channel 4 Racing to ensure continued terrestrial TV coverage of the sport, his creation of the Flying Start programme to give young people an opportunity to study and engage in racing worldwide, plus the Godolphin Stud and Stable Awards, rewarding those in racing's front line.

His involvement in Newmarket and his support of racing-related charities is ongoing, Ferguson reminded the audience.