Just reading the Racing Post and noticed that one of Andre Fabre's star two year olds from last season as been transferred to Mahmood Al Zarooni. Mandaean last seen comfortably winning the Group 1 Criterium De Saint-Cloud on only his second start, Looks a Derby horse through and through. Now at first I thought '' Al Zarooni as had a good year, And is clearly the No1 at Godolphin these days, Bin Suroor as been on a steep decline for some time they've sent him to the right trainer... '' Then I realised that the handler of the horse at the moment is the master trainer Andre Fabre winner of nearly every race that matters, Won the Derby last year and is one of the best around. He certainly knows how to win a Classic Quite strange if you ask Me... Another horse removed from Fabre's care is Be Fabulous who finished her season with the G1 Prix Royal-Oak, Shes been transferred to Saaed Bin Suroor (Why?) This is something I've never got with Godolphin, Saeed Bin Suroor as had some very talented animals passed through his stable and they've come out absolute disasters, Its had some good ones who have been superstars (Dubai Millenium) but its few and far between, Al Zarooni on the other hand looks a very talented trainer with a good career ahead but even still they aren't anywhere near the level of Andre Fabre. I think Godolphin should maybe take a leaf out of Khalid Abdullah's book and keep faith with alot of trainers it surely doesn't do him any harm....
Cavalryman anyone? Unbeaten until finishing just 2 lengths behind Sea The Stars in the Arc. Bin Suroor couldn't even get him to win a listed race
Cutlass Bay was unbeaten with Fabre in five races,culminating in a G1 victory, before regressing beyond belief win Bin Suroor. Incredible to think that Godolphin,with two fully stocked stables full of blue bloods,failed to have a runner in the Middle Park,Dewhurst,which they sponsor, and the RP trophy. This recent recruit is maybe an indication that they don't have much,as yet,to excite for next season's classic races.John Ferguson is probobly on stand by! In any case the form of the Criterium de Saint Cloud is very suspect.
I think what they need is a couple of decent Aussie trainers. A few of our journeyman jockeys would cut quite a swathe through the local ranks too.
French Navy crossed the Channel and won a couple of minor races, so transferring of horses from Fabre to Godolphin should be taken with a pinch of salt. (I am biased because I followed French Navy last season.)
