Godolphin swoop for three more horses
Godolphin have added two more strings to their already powerful bow with the acquisition of the high-class performers Imperial Stride and Proclamation.
Also set to join the Dubai operation is John Gosden’s smart three-year-old Plea Bargain, who has not been seen out since finishing fourth behind Scorpion in the Grand Prix de Paris in July.
They will not race again this season.
“Imperial Stride, Proclamation and Plea Bargain will all be joining Godolphin soon,” confirmed racing manager Simon Crisford.
“They will be prepared to go to Dubai for the winter. Some of them will race in Dubai at the carnival.
“All of them are young horses for the future and Sheikh Mohammed has decided they won’t run again this season.
“He wants to keep them for next year and the year after. They will be campaigned on the international circuit – not just England.”
Imperial Stride, who was formerly owned by Saeed Suhail and trained by Sir Michael Stoute, was being prepared for a tilt at the Emirates Airline Champion Stakes after developing into one of the best 10-furlong horses around this season.
Proclamation was trained by Jeremy Noseda and has carried the colours of Sheikh Mohammed’s wife, Princess Haya of Jordan, for his last two runs.
On his first start for his new owner the son of King’s Best landed a memorable Group One success in the Sussex Stakes, which was followed by a disappointing effort when dropped back to six furlongs in the William Hill Sprint Cup.
Noseda subsequently reported Proclamation had returned a dirty scope but he had hoped the grey colt would be ready in time for the seven-furlong Prix de la Foret at Longchamp on October 1.
