When the grand history of horse racing is written, a glorious chapter will indisputably be dedicated to one momentous weekend in early May 2025 — when Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, conquered the racing world.

In a historic achievement across just 48 hours, Godolphin — the royal blue racing empire Sheikh Mohammed founded in 1992 — secured victories in four of the sport’s most iconic races on two continents: the Kentucky Derby (G1), Kentucky Oaks (G1), English 2,000 Guineas (G1), and 1,000 Guineas.

From the demanding dirt track at Churchill Downs to the revered turf of Newmarket, Godolphin’s runners crossed finish lines first in dramatic fashion, underscoring Sheikh Mohammed’s lifelong commitment to excellence in the sport.

Good Cheer kicked off the weekend by winning the Kentucky Oaks (G1) on Friday. Ruling Court followed with a powerful performance in the 2,000 Guineas (G1) at Newmarket the next day, only hours before Sovereignty captured the spotlight at Churchill Downs with a long-awaited and historic first victory for Godolphin in the G1 Kentucky Derby.

Capping it all off, the filly Desert Flower surged past her rivals to win the 1,000 Guineas, sealing what is now one of the most remarkable weekends in racing history.

This moment marked the fulfillment of Sheikh Mohammed’s vision — one rooted more than thirty years ago in Dubai, when in 1992 he made a bold decision.

Though he had already tasted success racing under his own name and signature maroon silks, Sheikh Mohammed stepped back from personal accolades to form Godolphin with his brothers. His goal was to create a global stable — one that combined elite breeding and training — to represent Dubai on the world stage and compete for the sport’s top honours.

But one race had always eluded him: the Kentucky Derby, the crown jewel of American racing.

That long pursuit ended on Saturday, as Sovereignty — a homebred colt running in Godolphin’s royal blue colors under jockey Junior Alvarado — surged to victory in the 151st edition of the race affectionately known as the Run for the Roses.

Trained by American Hall of Famer Bill Mott — who famously won the inaugural Dubai World Cup in 1996 with Cigar, helping fulfill Sheikh Mohammed’s early international ambitions — Sovereignty's triumph was a dream realised decades later.

Junior Alvarado celebrates after riding Sovereignty to victory.

For Sheikh Mohammed, who watched from Dubai with family and friends, it was more than a race — it was a deeply personal victory.

“This one got here the right way,” said an emotional Mott after the race. “He’s a great horse, and he comes from a great organisation (Godolphin). I can’t say enough about the horse and the team that started him out and did everything to make this happen.

“It’s great and I think it will probably take a while to sink in.”

Venezuelan jockey Alvarado, riding in only his second Derby, held back tears as he wiped the mud off his face and said: “It’s a moment you dream of. I’m just grateful to be part of this story.
“This means the world to me. I thought I had a great chance and I was so confident the whole week. I knew Mr Mott would get it done – if I had to pick someone, it would be him.

Jockey Junior Alvarado kisses the trophy as he celebrates with his wife Kelly Alvarado.

“We have been a team for a while and it’s more than a dream come true to do it with him and Godolphin, who have been very helpful throughout my career.”

On a rain-soaked track at Churchill Downs, Sovereignty overtook the favourite, Journalism, in the final stretch and pulled away to win by nearly two lengths, clocking 2:02.31 over the classic 1¼ mile distance.

The Derby win was only part of the achievement. A day earlier, Good Cheer — unbeaten in six starts — had claimed the Kentucky Oaks (G1), giving Godolphin a rare Oaks-Derby double. Only four other owners in the 151-year history of the race had done the same.

Meanwhile, across the Atlantic at Newmarket — the cradle of flat racing — Godolphin’s British team under trainer Charlie Appleby delivered back-to-back Classic wins. Ruling Court claimed the 2,000 Guineas, and Desert Flower completed the weekend sweep with a decisive 1,000 Guineas victory.

It marked the first time a single stable had won all four of these prestigious races in the same weekend.

Desert Flower wins the 1,000 Guineas at Newmarket on Sunday. 

It was, as renowned British commentator Richard Hoiles described it, “an orchestration of excellence, unlike anything the sport has seen before.”

Charlie Appleby best summed up the mood in the Godolphin camp when he said: “I am delighted for His Highness Sheikh Mohammed, to have a weekend like this is very special for everybody. It will probably take a few days to sink in.

“It’s a huge team effort and what Godolphin has achieved in America, the UK, Japan, Australia and throughout the world – what has been achieved this weekend has been remarkable.”