Godolphin Glory

Another year in Dubai, another trip to Al Quoz Stables for the Godolphin Racing open house.

On this day, Shiekh Mohammed bin Rashid al Maktoum's locally based operation had 45 of its horses take a lap around the Tapeta Footings track at Al Quoz and with officials available to tell the assembled media a bit about how their seasons are progressing.

It is a fun event -- a first chance to catch up with international acquaintances you get to see only once or twice a year -- and a useful one as well as all of Godolphin's primary players are available for interviews and photo ops.

First impressions:

It was a very clear morning, and the skyline of Dubai was gorgeous as the sun came up and sparkled off all of the skyscrapers. The lack of construction because of the global economic downturn is readily apparent as there are many, many buildings that are far from being completed and are standing like skeletons, waiting to be finished. The lack of construction -- there are about a quarter fewer cranes visible as the last time I was here in 2008 -- is one of the primary reasons the horizon is so clear -- much less dust being kicked up by heavy machinery.

A few horses stood out in thier morning jogs. Al Bastakiya winner Mendip, a three-year-old Harlan's Holiday colt, looked tremendous, strong and confident as he pranced in front of the grandstand. He will be the horse to beat in the $2-million UAE Derby (UAE-G2) and, like Desert Party last year, could with a string performance be sent stateside for the Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (G1). More on both of those horses later on this blog and in Thoroughbred Times TODAY.

Godolphin has appointed a second trainer, Mahmood Al Zarooni, who will saddle his first runners for the stable on Dubai World Cup day on Saturday. Zarooni, 33, has been an assistant to Saeed bin Suroor for more than a year and previously worked for local trainer Ali Rashid Al Raihe. Zarooni will saddle seven horses on Saturday, including last year's Dubai Sheema Classic (UAE-G1) winner Eastern Anthem and Al Maktoum Challenge-Round 2 (UAE-G3) winner Allybar. Following the World Cup, Zarooni is expected to have a stable of horses to run in Europe later this year, based at Godolphin's Moulton Paddocks in Newmarket.

Jockey Frankie Dettori is like a rock star. Members of the media hang on his every word and use any opportunity to get close to him. Men and women. I've never seen so many reporters and photographers get their pictures taken with someone they were shooting or writing about. And he is always "on" -- charming and gracious, quick with a quip or a flash of that trademark smile. Perhaps for those who cover him more often it is different -- I've heard he can be difficult -- but for someone like myself looking for a decent quote or two, he is golden.

I have some other news and views to post as the day goes on and will share my views of the post position draw, which is scheduled to start sometime between 9 and 10 a.m. EDT, later this afternoon.

Until then ...