John Ferguson, longtime advisor to Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, has resigned from his post as chief executive and racing manager of Godolphin. Originally reported in Racing Post, the news comes after that publication ran an interview with Godolphin trainer Saeed bin Suroor last week revealing a breakdown in communication between the two men. Joe Osborne, managing director of Godolphin in Ireland, will take up the position of interim chief executive of Godolphin, which has operations in Dubai, Britain, Ireland, the U.S., Australia and Japan.
“We are committed to our objective of achieving success for His Highness Sheikh Mohammed and his family,” Osborne said. “Our thanks go to John Ferguson for his longstanding contribution to Godolphin and Darley.”
In a story published by Racing Post last week, bin Suroor-who has trained for Sheikh Mohammed for 22 years and ran three horses in last weekend's Derby-revealed he has experienced a myriad of frustrations since the resignation of former Godolphin racing manager Simon Crisford in 2014 and the departure of former stable jockey Frankie Dettori two years prior. Bin Suroor alluded to a breakdown in communication between himself and Ferguson, saying, “Sheikh Mohammed makes the decisions at Stanley House [Stables], nobody else.”
Bin Suroor also lamented the requirement last year for him to use retained Godolphin rider James Doyle, and described this year's 2-year-old intake as being “behind by miles,” in comparison to what he normally receives.
Bin Suroor, who trained Sheikh Mohammed's 1995 Derby winner Lammtarra as well as the likes of Mark Of Esteem, Sakhee, Daylami, Dubai Millennium and Fantastic Light, has since 2014 split British training duties for Godolphin with Charlie Appleby, whose assistant is Ferguson's son James.
Ferguson, bloodstock advisor to Sheikh Mohammed for more than 30 years, was named chief executive and racing manager of Godolphin in December 2015 when it was announced Sheikh Mohammed's Godolphin and Darley empires would be merged. At that time Ferguson ended his brief but successful career as a jumps trainer based in Newmarket. Ferguson said in a statement on Tuesday, “Given the recent articles in the media, it was clear my position [with Godolphin] was untenable. At times such as these, what matters is the future and my stepping down will allow everyone to draw a line under things and move forward. All the staff at Godolphin are wonderful people who work so hard for the greater good and I want to thank each and every one. His Highness Sheikh Mohammed has given me so much over the years–trust, opportunities, amazing experiences and, perhaps most importantly, his kindness and counsel. For all these things I thank him with all my heart.”
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