Saeed bin Suroor has trained at Godolphin Stables in Newmarket, England, during the spring and summer each year since transferring from nearby Moulton Paddocks in 2004.
Godolphin horses based there have gained plenty of important victories, with the brilliant Shamardal, fellow Classic winner Dubawi, Rio De La Plata, Ibn Khaldun, Creachadoir, Cherry Mix, Punctilious, Librettist, Ramonti and the 2009 St Leger hero Mastery among the Group One victors.
Godolphin Stables’ horses arrive in Newmarket in April after enjoying the benefits of Dubai’s pleasant winter climate at Al Quoz Stables, Saeed bin Suroor’s home base.
Horses from the 115-box Newmarket yard utilise Godolphin’s private Snailwell Gallops, which feature both turf and Tapeta surfaces.
Godolphin Stables, located between Snailwell Road and Bury Road, is also convenient for the Long Hill and Limekilns gallops.
Formerly known as Stanley House Stables, Godolphin Stables has an illustrious history.
Frederick Stanley, the 16th Earl of Derby, constructed the original complex in 1903 and installed his trainer, the Honourable George Lambton.
The trainer was responsible for 14 English Classic winners during his time at Stanley House Stables, such as the brilliant 1933 Derby winner Hyperion, owned by Edward Stanley, the 17th Earl of Derby.
For four years from 1926, Frank Butters punctuated George Lambton’s two spells at Stanley House, sending out the champion Fairway and the top-class Colorado for the 17th Earl.
Following George Lambton’s departure for a second and final time at the end of 1933, Colledge Leader took over at Stanley House Stables and enjoyed Classic successes with Oaks winner Quashed and 1,000 Guineas heroine Tideway.
Walter Earl, who became responsible for the yard in 1939, saddled six war-time Classic winners in the 1940s, among them the Derby victor Watling Street, as well as the brilliant stayer Alycidon.
During World War II, Lord Derby opened up part of Stanley House as a home for orphaned boys who had been evacuated from London and other cities.
The 17th Earl of Derby passed away in 1948 and his son, the 18th Earl, did not possess the same passion for horseracing. Stanley House was eventually sold to trainer Gavin Pritchard-Gordon in 1976.
H. H. Sheikh Mohammed purchased Stanley House Stables in the 1980s and installed John Gosden as the trainer there in 1988. They enjoyed Classic success with Shantou in the 1996 St Leger at Doncaster, while the trainer also saddled Benny The Dip to win the 1997 Derby.
John Gosden left Stanley House Stables in 1999 to go to Manton and, in 2001, David Loder began training Godolphin’s two-year-olds at the yard. That arrangement lasted until David Loder’s retirement in 2003 and the following year the yard was renamed Godolphin Stables prior to the arrival of Saeed bin Suroor and the Godolphin string.
Godolphin Stables, like Moulton Paddocks, is a modern training yard with swimming pool, spa, private training tracks, turn-out pens/paddocks, indoor schools, veterinary facilities, farrier rooms and laundry facilities.
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