Ferguson To Focus On Godolphin

John Ferguson, bloodstock advisor to Sheikh Mohammed and a rapidly growing presence in British jumps racing, is to hand in his national hunt training license at the end of the 2016 jumps season to devote his time solely to the global Godolphin operation. The news, announced Tuesday on the Godolphin website, coincides with a merging of the Godolphin/Darley racing and breeding empire, currently numbering 2,000 horses-in-training and 2,500 breeding stock. Darley, under which all Sheikh Mohammed's bloodstock holdings formerly operated, is now to be used solely as a brand to promote stallions, with the global operation being re-branded under the Godolphin banner, of which Ferguson is to be chief executive and racing manager. Ferguson has trained 70 winners in Britain this season, currently more than any other trainer and his team of horses, the majority of whom were originally recruited from Godolphin, are set to re-join Charlie Appleby in Newmarket.

Commenting on the new structure Ferguson said, “It is an exciting new chapter in the Godolphin story. Our long-term objective is to improve on Godolphin's results on the racetrack. I feel honored to be appointed chief executive and racing manager, but I realize that it will require more of my time and attention.”

On his highly successful stint as a jumps trainer Ferguson added, “I will miss the training. Jump racing has always been one of my sporting passions, and I love the involvement. I am very grateful to Sheikh Mohammed for giving me the horses to send jumping in the first place. In fact, he wanted me to continue, but I could see that Godolphin must always be a priority and requires my undivided attention. It makes sense for the racing and breeding operations to merge. One is sourcing the other, and a well-planned, common strategy can only strengthen both. We must ensure that Godolphin continues to represent excellence in racing, and that the brand serves as a constant reminder of the vibrancy and energy of Dubai.”