Michael Banahan

From Pretty Mischievous (Into Mischief) getting Godolphin their first win in the GI Kentucky Oaks on Friday to Matareya (Pioneerof the Nile) and Cody's Wish (Curlin) both coming home with Grade I scores on Saturday, the first weekend in May was one for the books for Godolphin USA. The global racing powerhouse is coming off back-to-back Eclipse Awards for Outstanding Owner and Breeder, but Godolphin USA's Director of Bloodstock Michael Banahan said that this year's Derby weekend ranks near the top of the list of great weekends for the American...

In this continuing series, TDN's Senior Racing Editor Steve Sherack catches up with the connections of promising maidens to keep on your radar. First Mission (c, 3, Street Sense--Elude, by Medaglia d'Oro) earned a gaudy 96 Beyer Speed Figure sprinting on debut on the GII Risen Star S. undercard at Fair Grounds Feb. 18. And he didn't even get his picture taken. The Triple Crown-nominated Godolphin homebred fell three-quarters of a length short to his highly touted and Brad Cox-trained stablemate Bishops Bay (Uncle Mo) in a very live-looking, six-furlong...

Cody's Wish (Curlin), last seen capturing the GI Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile in dramatic fashion at Keeneland Nov. 5, is targeting the GI Churchill Downs S. on the GI Kentucky Derby undercard for his 2023 lidlifter. The Godolphin homebred returned to the worktab with a three-furlong breeze in :38.80 (2/3) at Hall of Famer Bill Mott's Payson Park base Mar. 1. He breezed four furlongs in :51.80 (32/33) Friday. "He is doing very well," Godolphin USA Director of Bloodstock Michael Banahan said. "He looks in fantastic shape. After the Breeders'...

LEXINGTON, KY - During a session dominated by offerings from the powerful Godolphin operation, the four-day Keeneland January Horses of All Ages Sale continued to churn out strong results as it entered its second half Wednesday. Through three sessions, 721 horses have sold for $41,732,600. The average of $57,882 is up 5.31% from a year ago, while the median is up 8.00% to $27,000. At this same point at the 2022 sale, 770 horses had grossed $42,320,400 for an average of $54,962 and a median of $25,000. Mares from Godolphin...

With the completely stunned Kentucky Derby day crowd of 147,294 beginning to file out following Rich Strike (Keen Ice)'s upset for the ages, Strobe (c, 3, Into Mischief--Flashing, by A.P. Indy) looked like he could be any kind while closing out the stacked 14-race card with a dominating 'TDN Rising Star' performance. But where's the Godolphin homebred been since the first Saturday in May? "He's just back with Brad [Cox] and slowly getting back going again," Godolphin Director of Bloodstock Michael Banahan said. "He had his first little work last...

In this continuing series, TDN's Senior Editor Steve Sherack catches up with the connections of promising maidens to keep on your radar. It's admittedly very early days, but one of the more promising 2-year-olds to debut thus far at the prestigious Saratoga meeting didn't even get her picture taken. Godolphin homebred Spelterini (f, 2, Bernardini--Keepshercool, by Smart Strike) came flying home to finish an eye-catching second on the Spa's opening day program July 14. Last of six after a slow start from her inside draw, the 13-1 shot was ridden...

Cody's Wish (Curlin), winner of the GIII Westchester S. in his most recent start, is the morning-line favorite in a field of seven in Monday's Hanshin S. at Churchill Downs. The 4-year-old Bill Mott trainee is a homebred for Godolphin out of 2012 GI Gazelle S. victress Dance Card (Tapit), also the dam of MGSP Endorsed (Medaglia d'Oro). None of those details really matter much to Cody Dorman, a 16-year-old from Richmond, Kentucky who shares a special bond with the improving son of Curlin. Cody, an avid racing fan ever...

LEXINGTON, KY - With Godolphin's Belle Street (Street Sense) leading the way at $550,000, the Book 3 section of the Keeneland November Breeding Stock Sale opened Saturday with strong results as the 10-day auction continues to track well ahead of 2020 figures. During Saturday's session, 252 head grossed $19,981,500. The session average of $79,292 was up 36.37% from the corresponding 2020 figure and the median of $65,000 was up 49.43%. With 78 horses reported not sold, the buy-back rate was 23.64%. It was 24.67% a year ago. Through four sessions,...

Jimmy Bell, president and racing manager for Godolphin's U.S. division, will retire from his day-to-day involvement with the operation by the end of the year, according to a release from the operation. "Jimmy Bell is the bedrock that Godolphin USA is built upon," said Dan Pride, Chief Operating Officer of Godolphin, USA. "His history with Jonabell is well known and he has faithfully served 20 years molding us into what we are today. He is a friend to many of us and always an example of how to live your...