Sheikh Mohammed has revived his familiar maroon and white silks in addition to the current royal blue of Godolphin in Britain, Racing Post reported. They will be worn by a string of horses in training with John Gosden representing the Sheikh's and HRH Princess Haya's daughter Jalila and are registered to Sheikha Al Jalila Racing. His original blue and white silks, carried to victory by the Sheikh's first winner Hatta (GB) (Realm {GB}), have also been revived and registered to his son Sheikh Zayed.
“These colours represented for me many different chapters of my journey in the race world,” Sheikh Mohammed told Racing Post. “They were associated with some of the most joyful memories and will be forever connected to some of the greatest equine legends and inspiring training and horsemanship. I am so proud to pass them on to my children, Jalila and Zayed, who both share my passion for horses, love of this sport, and are developing the greatest respect for the racing family,”
American Steve Cauthen donned the silks to countless great triumphs, including the fillies' Triple Crown – the G1 1000 Guineas, G1 Oaks and G1St Leger–in 1985 on Oh So Sharp (Ire) (Kris {GB}), and the G1 Irish and G1 French Derby on Old Vic (GB) (Sadler's Wells) in 1989. Both champions were trained by the late Sir Henry Cecil. Now back in his native America, Kentucky-based Cauthen was delighted to hear the colours with which he will forever be linked are to return to the racecourse.
“They were great days and I enjoyed wearing those colours,” said Cathen, who was champion jockey in the UK three times in the 1980s. “They were great colours. Obviously a highlight would be Oh So Sharp winning the fillies' Triple Crown, Old Vic winning the French and Irish Derby and also Indian Skimmer (Storm Bird). She was a great filly who won the French Oaks. I rode such a lot of good horses in those colours.”
Other stars of yesteryear that shone for Sheikh Mohammed include Pebbles (GB) (Sharpen Up {GB}), Singspiel (Ire) (In the Wings {GB}), Swain (Ire) (Nashwan), Barathea (Ire) (Sadler's Wells), Diminuendo (Diesis {GB}) and Opera House (GB) (Sadler's Wells). The colours continued to be used overseas, but have not been seen in Britain in recent times as Sheikh Mohammed's Godolphin operation and its recognisable blue colours has come to the fore.
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