| Godolphin Stables | |
| Industry: | Horse racing |
| Founder: | Frederick Stanley, 16th Earl of Derby |
| Location City: | Newmarket |
| Location Country: | United Kingdom |
| Key People: | Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum (owner) Saeed bin Suroor (trainer) Charlie Appleby (trainer) |
Godolphin Stables, also known as Stanley House Stables, is a thoroughbred racehorse ownership, training and breeding operation in Newmarket, Suffolk, which has produced many notable horses. It is one of the most famous racing establishments in the world and is currently owned and operated by Godolphin Racing, the UK's largest flat racing operation.[1] [2]
The stables were built by Frederick Stanley, 16th Earl of Derby (also the namesake of the Stanley Cup in North American ice hockey), in 1903 and originally named Stanley House stables after Lord Derby's nearby house.[3] In 1933, Walter Earl took over the yard and won the 1942 Derby with Watling Street. In 1976, the stables were sold to Gavin Pritchard Gordon, before being acquired by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum for his Godolphin Racing operation in April 1988, thereby being renamed Godolphin Stables under head trainer John Gosden.[4] [5] [6] The name refers to the well known horse Godolphin Arabian, one of the first Arabian horses brought to Britain.
The stables were involved in a 2013 investigation by the British Horseracing Authority into the conduct of trainer Mahmood Al Zarooni.[7] The stables now serve as a base for Godolphin's British operations, led by trainer Saeed Bin Suroor.
The yard can hold 115 horses, and has a number of leading facilities including private grass and all-weather gallops, a swimming pool, Seawalker and Equine spas.[8]
Horses trained at the stables that have won Group 1 races include: