The racing operations of H.H. Sheik Mohammed bin Rashid al Maktoum of Dubai

He is the Vice President of the U.A.E. and ruler of Dubai, ascending to those posts with the death of his brother Sheik Maktoum al Maktoum in January 2006

He has been perhaps the most influential racing personality in the world with his drive to win all the greatest races and creation of the Dubai Racing Carnival and the World Cup.

Godolphin is the Sheik's top tier stable, with the best runners from his worldwide holdings trained in Dubai and England by Saeed bin Suroor. He is assisted in the U.S. by Rick Mettee.

The Godolphin racing manager is Simon Crisford, although the Sheik's bloodstock manager and advisor is John Ferguson, who also represents the Maktoums at major events.

Most of Sheik Mohammed's U.S. runners race for Darley Stable, which is managed by Jimmy Bell, who is also authorized to speak to the media for the Sheik

He has won most major races in Europe and several Breeders' Cup races, but he is very keen on winning the Kentucky Derby under his Godolphin banner and has been spending lavishly for nearly 10 years in search of the horse that will get that job done.

Bernardini gave him a Preakness victory, but under Darley colors

His presence at the major auctions has fueled huge increases in prices of bloodstock, spending $71 million over two days at the September 2007 Keeneland Sales and was the underbidder on The Green Monkey, the $16 million record setter in 2006

In addition to major purchases of racing stock, the Sheik has acquired some of the leading horses of recent years as stallion prospects including Street Sense, Hard Spun and Raven's Pass