Sheik Mohammed's racing operation spread $40 million worth of horses around the country. These trainers are the big winners
Of Godolphin's headline horses, the group 1-winning Tom Kitten has been placed with Anthony and Sam Freedman, Melbourne Cup fourth-place getter Zardozi has joined Maher, Golden Mile went to Pride, while Waller also picked up Commemorative and Beiwacht.
Several of the Godolphin horses have already trialled for their new stables.
As part of its shift in approach, Godolphin sold 25 ready-to-race horses for almost $2.2 million on Inglis Digital a fortnight ago, including South Australian Derby place-getter Lavalier for $380,000 and group 3-winner Pisces for $330,000.
While the father-son Freedman combination has prepared a number of young horses for Godolphin in the past, including 2022 Blue Diamond winner Daumier, Sam Freedman sees the racing giant's change in strategy as a winning move.
'It's an exciting change for the whole Godolphin brand, and exciting for Australian racing to see their stock spread out,' Freedman said.
'I have no doubt it will be a success. There's obviously a lot to work through and there will be little hiccups on the way, I'm sure, but on the whole it feels like a really positive change.
'I think, ultimately, the one-trainer model is becoming more and more rare.'
While Freedman said they did not lobby for any horses, they felt privileged to be handed ready-made group 1 star Tom Kitten.
Loading
'He'd be the highest-rated horse we've got,' the 2023 Melbourne Cup-winning trainer said. 'As an established weight-for-age horse, he's right at the top.
'It's very rare that you get a horse like that in the stable that's able to compete from 1400m to 2000m at weight-for-age against the best horses in the country. It's exciting.'
Freedman said the four-year-old gelding would likely resume in the group 1 1400m Memsie Stakes At Caulfield on August 30 before heading to the group 1 1600m Makybe Diva Stakes at Flemington a fortnight later.
'If he's really flying along, and it looks like a realistic target, that could mean he'll line up in the Cox Plate,' Freedman said.
'But his first two runs are sort of pencilled in, and then we are just going to assess him after that.'
Godolphin Australia managing director Andy Makiv and racing and bloodstock manager Jason Walsh oversaw the mass relocation of their horses.
'It certainly wasn't an easy decision, and it doesn't preclude opportunities for others (trainers) in the future,' Makiv said.
Godolphin's breeding arm Darley will continue to stand stallions, including those that raced during Cumming's tenure such as Anamoe, Bivouac, Broadsiding and Cylinder.
But their number of runners has fallen away significantly in recent years. After a high of 1276 starters in the 2018/19 season, those figures have dropped to 804 in 2023/24 and 680 last season.
But Makiv denied this will be an ongoing trend.
'Moving away from a private training model gives us greater business agility,' he said at the end of April.
'We will continue to have the same number of horses in training — it's fundamental to what we do.'
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Perth Now
7 minutes ago
- Perth Now
Gigante makes huge move in Tour shake up
French rider Pauline Ferrand-Prevot took a commanding lead at the Tour de France Femmes after launching a solo attack on the final climb of Saturday's penultimate stage. But Australian rider Sarah Gigante surged into second place, 2 minutes, 37 seconds behind, on a day of big changes in the leading positions. The 2023 champion, Demi Vollering of the Netherlands, is 3:18 adrift heading into Sunday's last stage. Overnight leader Kimberley Le Court Pienaar - Gigante's AG Insurance-Soudal teammmate - crashed on the descent from the Col du Frene with 63km remaining, briefly trailing the peloton by about a minute. She rejoined but the effort and the relentless climbing cost her dear in the general classification as she dropped to 11th place. Last year's event had the smallest winning margin in the history of the women's and men's races, but Ferrand-Prevot - who won the mountain bike gold medal at last year's Paris Olympics - looks like winning far more comfortably, despite Gigante's efforts. The Frenchwoman trailed Le Court by 26 seconds heading into stage eight from Chambery to Saint-François-Longchamp, which took the riders on a 112km trek into the mountains. It featured an early climb of 13km up Col de Plainpalais before finishing with a tortuous ascent of 18.6km to Col de Madeleine, one of the most famed climbs in cycling. Gigante went on the offensive with 12 km to go and only Ferrand-Prevot of the GC favourites was able to stay with her on the climb. The Olympic champion then attacked at the start of the final 9km and Gigante was unable to keep up with her. The Frenchwoman hit the front 7km from the summit and powered to a superb victory. Gigante crossed the line 1:45 behind her, while Niamh Fisher-Black rolled in 2:15 behind in third spot. Vollering was fourth. The 24-year-old Melburnian had joked on Friday night, at the end of the seventh stage, that some of the big names had "missed a couple of opportunities" to shake her off. "They could have got rid of me yesterday, maybe Kim today. We'll see what happens, but from our point of view, hopefully they live to regret it." Those words have proved prophetic and she has a podium finish in her sights. Sunday's ninth and final stage from Praz-sur-Arly to Chatel is another mountainous route, with three big climbs, and is even longer at 124km.
Mercury
an hour ago
- Mercury
Anxious galloper Tuff Tu Mus wins seventh city race in row at Eagle Farm
Don't miss out on the headlines from Horse Racing. Followed categories will be added to My News. It's as rare as hen's teeth that a horse wins seven metropolitan races in a row. And especially one who is as quirky as David Vandyke's gelding Tuff Tu Mus who has battled anxiety to the extent that his trainer often brings him to the races even when he's not racing. It might have been a low-key, off-season city meeting at Eagle Farm but the continued emergence of Tuff Tu Mus threw up a feel-good story. • PUNT LIKE A PRO: Become a Racenet iQ member and get expert tips – with fully transparent return on investment statistics – from Racenet's team of professional punters at our Pro Tips section. SUBSCRIBE NOW! Tuff Tu Mus means 'bloody tough' in Bislama, the national language of Vanuatu where his owner John Fordham, who hails from small town Croppa Creek near Moree in northern NSW, runs a kava factory. The five-year-old gelding is not only as tough as his name suggests, but also has more than his fair share of enigmatic ability. Starting at $1.70 in a BM90 Handicap as he stretched out over 1815m for the first time, jockey Ryan Maloney sent Tuff Tu Mus to the lead in the Eagle Farm straight and he did enough to hold on. He didn't beat any worldbeaters and the manner of his win wasn't dynamic – but he clocked up his latest triumph in a seven-race winning streak which dates back to October last year. Tuff Tu Mus has now won seven from nine but Vandyke revealed the quirky galloper had been to the races much more than the race book indicates. He often travels to the races on race day but stays in the stalls, just to help get him more used to the process and ease his highly-strung nature. 'He has got that underlying anxiety in him,' Vandyke said. 'He has had nine starts, but he has probably been to the races 25 times. 'He was here last Saturday even though he didn't race, we bring him all the time. 'My staff have absolutely cuddled him and looked after him, it's been a real team effort.' Trainer David Vandyke. Picture: Grant Peters, Trackside Photography. Vandyke said he had never had a horse wins seven consecutive city races before, although he had his now retired galloper Weona Smartone win eight in a row. 'Alligator Blood got beaten in the Caulfield Guineas (in 2019) but he won five consecutive races before that, and five after it,' Vandyke said. 'It takes a decent horse to put together a good winning streak. 'Tuff Tu Mus will go for a deserved spell now, but I think he has a nice future. 'There is an 1800m race on Gold Coast Magic Millions day which could be nice for him, which is why I wanted to test him over that distance today.' Champion trainer Tony Gollan finished the day with a bang when ex-Godolphin galloper Pereille saluted at short odds when being one of the best placed horses in Australia, scoring the Class Six Plate (1200m). Meanwhile, Ben Thompson rode his first winner since returning from Hong Kong when Rex Lipp-trained Redzoust ($17) got the chocolates in the BM70 Handicap (1400m). Originally published as Anxious galloper Tuff Tu Mus wins seventh city race in row at Eagle Farm
The Advertiser
4 hours ago
- The Advertiser
Swan stakes All-Australian claim in win over Bombers
Sydney have handed Essendon a ninth consecutive loss, defeating the Bombers by 14 points in a scrappy contest in slippery conditions at the superstar Errol Gulden kicked the first goal of the game in his 100th AFL match, and the hosts were never headed thereafter, cruising to a 9.14 (68) to 7.12 (54) win on Saturday. Ruckman Brodie Grundy continued his excellent form, giving Sydney's midfielders first use around stoppages while winning 13 clearances and 39 disposals, including 16 in the final 31-year-old has polled coaches' votes in his last seven games and is making a late run as a contender for the All-Australian ruck mantle. "Not only his ability to cover the ground, but his intensity around the ball has been a big highlight for a long period of time," Sydney coach Dean Cox said post-match. "He's had a very, very impressive season." With Nick Blakey (28 disposals, 678m gained) controlling play from the back half, and Gulden (30 disposals, 575m gained) and Isaac Heeney (28 disposals, 14 contested) dominant through the middle, the Swans never looked like losing. Sydney lacked an obvious focal point in attack, with Joel Amartey, Logan McDonald and Hayden McLean on the sidelines, but found goals through Braeden Campbell and Justin McInerney, who kicked two each. Jack Buller's classy drop punt goal from a set shot on the boundary was a rare highlight on a scrappy day where the two sides combined for 26 behinds and only 16 goals. Livewire Tom Papley managed just one goal and was well-held by first-gamer Jayden Nguyen, Essendon's 14th debutant for 2025. Essendon battled hard around the contest throughout, finishing with just eight fewer contested possessions, six more tackles and four more clearances than the Swans. But the gap in class was clear when it came to ball use. The Swans had 115 more uncontested disposals, and were able to change angles and string together chains of handballs, while the Bombers were impotent with the ball in 16 players unavailable due to injury, Essendon looked undermanned and often uninspired, regularly kicking the ball long down the line for little reward on the scoreboard."We fought hard but there are just a lot of things we've got to improve on," Bombers coach Brad Scott said. "I don't think our supporters would've watched that and thought there was a lack of effort from our players - maybe a lack of class and experience, but we'll keep working on that." Essendon managed just four goals to three-quarter time, but mounted a late challenge in the final term through goals from Mason Redman, Isaac Kako and Lachie Blakiston. But with the margin trimmed to 13 points, Sydney settled and took control, slowing down play and chipping the ball around to wind down the clock for the final 10 minutes. Sam Durham battled manfully for the Bombers, while Rising Star contender Archie Roberts showed great composure in the back half. In an unusual sight, play was stopped for a short period in the first quarter while a grounds-keeper took to the field to fill a hole in the ground with sand. It's not the first issue the SCG has had with its surface this year, with the ground called into question after Sydney's round 16 loss to the Western Bulldogs, in which players continually slipped over. Finals is out of the equation for Sydney, but the Swans are desperate to head into 2026 with confidence and momentum. "I didn't find it tough to get motivated," Cox said. "As a footy club we have to finish the year off as well as we possibly can." Sydney have handed Essendon a ninth consecutive loss, defeating the Bombers by 14 points in a scrappy contest in slippery conditions at the superstar Errol Gulden kicked the first goal of the game in his 100th AFL match, and the hosts were never headed thereafter, cruising to a 9.14 (68) to 7.12 (54) win on Saturday. Ruckman Brodie Grundy continued his excellent form, giving Sydney's midfielders first use around stoppages while winning 13 clearances and 39 disposals, including 16 in the final 31-year-old has polled coaches' votes in his last seven games and is making a late run as a contender for the All-Australian ruck mantle. "Not only his ability to cover the ground, but his intensity around the ball has been a big highlight for a long period of time," Sydney coach Dean Cox said post-match. "He's had a very, very impressive season." With Nick Blakey (28 disposals, 678m gained) controlling play from the back half, and Gulden (30 disposals, 575m gained) and Isaac Heeney (28 disposals, 14 contested) dominant through the middle, the Swans never looked like losing. Sydney lacked an obvious focal point in attack, with Joel Amartey, Logan McDonald and Hayden McLean on the sidelines, but found goals through Braeden Campbell and Justin McInerney, who kicked two each. Jack Buller's classy drop punt goal from a set shot on the boundary was a rare highlight on a scrappy day where the two sides combined for 26 behinds and only 16 goals. Livewire Tom Papley managed just one goal and was well-held by first-gamer Jayden Nguyen, Essendon's 14th debutant for 2025. Essendon battled hard around the contest throughout, finishing with just eight fewer contested possessions, six more tackles and four more clearances than the Swans. But the gap in class was clear when it came to ball use. The Swans had 115 more uncontested disposals, and were able to change angles and string together chains of handballs, while the Bombers were impotent with the ball in 16 players unavailable due to injury, Essendon looked undermanned and often uninspired, regularly kicking the ball long down the line for little reward on the scoreboard."We fought hard but there are just a lot of things we've got to improve on," Bombers coach Brad Scott said. "I don't think our supporters would've watched that and thought there was a lack of effort from our players - maybe a lack of class and experience, but we'll keep working on that." Essendon managed just four goals to three-quarter time, but mounted a late challenge in the final term through goals from Mason Redman, Isaac Kako and Lachie Blakiston. But with the margin trimmed to 13 points, Sydney settled and took control, slowing down play and chipping the ball around to wind down the clock for the final 10 minutes. Sam Durham battled manfully for the Bombers, while Rising Star contender Archie Roberts showed great composure in the back half. In an unusual sight, play was stopped for a short period in the first quarter while a grounds-keeper took to the field to fill a hole in the ground with sand. It's not the first issue the SCG has had with its surface this year, with the ground called into question after Sydney's round 16 loss to the Western Bulldogs, in which players continually slipped over. Finals is out of the equation for Sydney, but the Swans are desperate to head into 2026 with confidence and momentum. "I didn't find it tough to get motivated," Cox said. "As a footy club we have to finish the year off as well as we possibly can." Sydney have handed Essendon a ninth consecutive loss, defeating the Bombers by 14 points in a scrappy contest in slippery conditions at the superstar Errol Gulden kicked the first goal of the game in his 100th AFL match, and the hosts were never headed thereafter, cruising to a 9.14 (68) to 7.12 (54) win on Saturday. Ruckman Brodie Grundy continued his excellent form, giving Sydney's midfielders first use around stoppages while winning 13 clearances and 39 disposals, including 16 in the final 31-year-old has polled coaches' votes in his last seven games and is making a late run as a contender for the All-Australian ruck mantle. "Not only his ability to cover the ground, but his intensity around the ball has been a big highlight for a long period of time," Sydney coach Dean Cox said post-match. "He's had a very, very impressive season." With Nick Blakey (28 disposals, 678m gained) controlling play from the back half, and Gulden (30 disposals, 575m gained) and Isaac Heeney (28 disposals, 14 contested) dominant through the middle, the Swans never looked like losing. Sydney lacked an obvious focal point in attack, with Joel Amartey, Logan McDonald and Hayden McLean on the sidelines, but found goals through Braeden Campbell and Justin McInerney, who kicked two each. Jack Buller's classy drop punt goal from a set shot on the boundary was a rare highlight on a scrappy day where the two sides combined for 26 behinds and only 16 goals. Livewire Tom Papley managed just one goal and was well-held by first-gamer Jayden Nguyen, Essendon's 14th debutant for 2025. Essendon battled hard around the contest throughout, finishing with just eight fewer contested possessions, six more tackles and four more clearances than the Swans. But the gap in class was clear when it came to ball use. The Swans had 115 more uncontested disposals, and were able to change angles and string together chains of handballs, while the Bombers were impotent with the ball in 16 players unavailable due to injury, Essendon looked undermanned and often uninspired, regularly kicking the ball long down the line for little reward on the scoreboard."We fought hard but there are just a lot of things we've got to improve on," Bombers coach Brad Scott said. "I don't think our supporters would've watched that and thought there was a lack of effort from our players - maybe a lack of class and experience, but we'll keep working on that." Essendon managed just four goals to three-quarter time, but mounted a late challenge in the final term through goals from Mason Redman, Isaac Kako and Lachie Blakiston. But with the margin trimmed to 13 points, Sydney settled and took control, slowing down play and chipping the ball around to wind down the clock for the final 10 minutes. Sam Durham battled manfully for the Bombers, while Rising Star contender Archie Roberts showed great composure in the back half. In an unusual sight, play was stopped for a short period in the first quarter while a grounds-keeper took to the field to fill a hole in the ground with sand. It's not the first issue the SCG has had with its surface this year, with the ground called into question after Sydney's round 16 loss to the Western Bulldogs, in which players continually slipped over. Finals is out of the equation for Sydney, but the Swans are desperate to head into 2026 with confidence and momentum. "I didn't find it tough to get motivated," Cox said. "As a footy club we have to finish the year off as well as we possibly can."
