Ever since the formation of Godolphin in 1992 they have become synonymous with the world’s greatest race meetings and they have evolved into one of the most powerful international operations in the sport.

With 171 Group or Grade One victories spanning over twelve different countries in 2010 Godolphin have started the new year with a bang and look on course to continue their domination at the Dubai International Racing Carnival.

With the workload shared between Saeed bin Suroor at Al Quoz Stables and Mahmood Al Zarooni at Al Asifa Stables, some of Godolphin’s leading thoroughbreds continue to derive considerable benefit from their exertions in the UAE and plenty will feature at Meydan before they head back to England for the 2011 Flat season. 

We decided to catch up with Simon Crisford, Racing Manager at Godolphin, to discuss the Dubai International Racing Carnival, the season ahead and what helps make them racing’s primary international entity.

RB: What do you think it is that makes the Dubai International Racing Carnival so special?

SC: Since 2004, the Carnival has continued to grow and establish itself as the most international racing festival on the global racing calendar and this is backed by the commitment of owners and trainers choosing Dubai as the arena in which to race their horses and that is what makes it so special.  So far, thirty different countries have been represented at the Carnival and there is no where else in the world right now that offers this level of competition and prize money over nine weeks at a first-class racecourse.

You have the likes of Mendip and Allybar in the mix for the Dubai World Cup, do you have one horse in particular that is pleasing you ahead of the world's richest race?

We will see how both horses run on March 3 at Meydan’s Super Thursday meeting and we will then make a decision about their future races.

How do you feel Meydan has added to the Dubai International Racing Carnival? Do you miss anything about Nad Al Sheba?

Meydan racecourse has created a much larger venue for international competition and takes horseracing to the next level in Dubai.  Nevertheless, we must not forget Nad Al Sheba which was a fruitful hunting ground for Godolphin over the years where the stable accumulated 255 winners including 34 at Group level (six of which were Group One events).

What is your greatest Carnival memory?

The Dubai International Racing Carnival has provided Godolphin with many great memories since its inception. Although, Spring of Fame’s success in the Al Sarab Handicap on January 20 this year was a little extra special as his victory supplied us with our 100th overall Dubai International Racing Carnival triumph.

How has the winter been treating White Moonstone? You must be excited about the season ahead.

White Moonstone is doing fine.  She hasn’t completed any fast work yet.

Saamidd was brushed aside by Frankel in the Dewhurst last year, do you think he could reverse the form in the 2000 Guineas?

Saamidd has a lot to prove this year so it would be misleading to say he could at this stage.

What was the reasoning behind exciting Classic hopes Casamento and Dubai Prince being sent to Mahmood al-Zarooni and not Saeed bin Suroor?

There was no reason.  H.H. Sheikh Mohammed decided to allocate both horses to Mahmood Al Zarooni to train.

When will the Godolphin team be heading back to Europe? Any horses we should be keeping an eye on in 2011?

The Dubai-based horses will return to Newmarket in early April but it's too early to mention any as they have not started fast work yet.

What do you think it is that makes Godolphin one of the most successful racing operations in the world?

Without the dedication and teamwork of everyone involved at Godolphin, our achievements, to date, would not be possible.  Godolphin’s objective is to race our best horses in the world’s most prestigious races and this has always been the brief from our founder H.H. Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum. 

This is reflected in the number of countries we have been successful in which currently stands at 14  (Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Qatar, Singapore, Turkey, UAE, United Kingdom & USA