Cover image courtesy of Godolphin
Godolphin’s decision to spread their racehorses among different racing stables across Australia proved to be a massive success. The 2025/26 season was their equal best in terms of Group 1 races won at 11, with the results coinciding with the first year that they distributed their racing stock widely.
The powerful Godolphin-owned runners won 11 Group 1 races in 2025/26 with three colts winning a pair of elite races each. Chris Waller-trained Beiwacht (Bivouac) won the G1 Golden Rose and G1 All-Aged Stakes, Ciaron Maher-trained Observer won the G1 Victoria Derby and G1 Australian Guineas, and Tentyris won the G1 Coolmore Stud Stakes and G1 Lightning Handicap for the Anthony and Sam Freedman stable.
“It was equal to our best season on a number of performance metrics, the most important one being Group 1 winners. Eleven is the equal of any season we've had and to retire two colts of the quality of Tentyris and Observer to the stallion roster is a great sign of a successful season,” Godolphin’s Racing Manager Jason Walsh said.
Attica | Image courtesy of Sportpix
Joe Pride-trained Attica (Lonhro) won the G1 Spring Champion Stakes and has since been gelded. Bjorn Baker-trained entire Green Spaces (Street Boss {USA}) won the G1 Australian Derby, while Tempted (Street Boss {USA}) won the G1 Surround Stakes for the Ciaron Maher stable.
The two older horses who won Group 1 races for the organisation were Anthony and Sam Freedman-trained Tom Kitten (Harry Angel {Ire}) who won the G1 All Star Mile and Pericles (Street Boss {USA}) who won the G1 Futurity for Bjorn Baker. Both Tom Kitten and Pericles will follow a similar pathway this spring.
Of the 2025/26 Group 1 winners, both Observer and Tentryis head to stud in 2026 while the rest remain in training.
Transition from private trainer
When Godolphin’s private trainer James Cummings announced in 2025 that he would take up a position in Hong Kong, Godolphin made the decision to move away from a one-trainer model.
“It's a great credit to our teams on the farms and in our offices, and all our trainers who have done a great job,” Walsh said.
“Without exception, they've been a pleasure to work with, and pleasingly, the success was pretty well spread across the board. We've had a great experience with them and I hope they'd say the same of us.”
Jason Walsh and Joe Pride | Image courtesy of Georgia Young Photography
Last year, Godolphin had to split up their entire racing team across many different trainers, but this season, the decision making only affects their current crop of horses who have just turned two.
“We made a concerted effort, as best we could, to spread the older horses around. There’s not uniformity in terms of volume but we did, and will continue to, make an effort to try and ensure that each trainer got a high quality of bloodstock. That's an easy enough job to do for us because of the quality of our bloodstock program.”
“There’s not uniformity in terms of volume but we did, and will continue to, make an effort to try and ensure that each trainer got a high quality of bloodstock.” - Jason Walsh
However, horses being horses, it’s hard to tell how the younger crops are going to improve and where the next great horse will come from.
“This year, we've got the one crop of yearlings to allocate in terms of focus and strategy, and I'd say the strategy is very much the same (as last year).
“We analyse what we think are strengths for each particular trainers and with our knowledge of our bloodstock and their training programs, we work to try and match them as best as possible and hope that at the other end we can optimise a performance for each animal.
“There's definitely a bit taken into account in terms of their records, what they have produced and then we hope that our stock can add to what they're doing as well and maybe open a few more doors in that way.”
“There's definitely a bit taken into account in terms of their records, what they have produced and then we hope that our stock can add to what they're doing as well and maybe open a few more doors in that way.” - Jason Walsh
It’s not as simple as pigeonholing a trainer as good at juveniles, or good at stayers, or however you might want to split their ability.
“Many of what has been allocated to trainers can be because they have some knowledge of stock they've already trained for us, but that's not exclusively the case. We're not rigid in terms of a certain trainer for the progeny of a mare, but we do think it can be an advantage if a trainer knows the traits of a family.”
Education stays in house
Godolphin’s education processes have had to change with this change in trainer strategy. When everything came to Crown Lodge together, the process remained in house for a horse’s entire career. Now, the task of raising a horse from birth and educating that horse remains in-house while there is a transition time as they move into the different racing stables.
“We've got a great team there at Kelvinside who start the process in January of every year,” Walsh said.
“There’s been a bit of a learning curve for us there because the (yearlings) would typically have come to Sydney as part of that process before going back to spell and we didn't do that this year. But they had a couple of preparations at Kelvinside before going to their trainers.”
Godolphin Woodlands property | Image courtesy of Visit Denman
“Back when Darley acquired the Ingham’s business, there were processes that had been fine-tuned at Crown Lodge over many years that no doubt contributed to a hugely successful 2-year-old program,” Walsh said.
“Back when Darley acquired the Ingham’s business, there were processes that had been finetuned at Crown Lodge over many years that no doubt contributed to a hugely successful 2-year-old program.” - Jason Walsh
Darley, and it’s racing arm Godolphin, acquired Woodlands Stud and all associated properties and horses from the Ingham family in 2008 for $500 million.
“We're keen to maintain the elements of that that we think are important, and we'll learn as we go (with this new process) to ensure at every stage of the process, so the horses are getting their best opportunity to be their best.
“We're keen to maintain the elements of that that we think are important, and we'll learn as we go (with this new process) to ensure at every stage of the process.” - Jason Walsh
“Our trainers are excellent in terms of their communication with how they're going, we're getting to the stage of year now where we'll start asking a few more questions of them under pressure and hopefully learn what we've got under the bonnet, which is always an exciting time.”
Anamoe’s first crop look exciting
Australian Horse Of The Year and nine-time Group 1 winner Anamoe’s first crop have just turned two and they are the ones that everyone was talking about at the yearling sales earlier this year. With 42 of his first crop of 111 foals already named, there’s plenty of reasons for Darley and Godolphin to be excited about the stallion who won his first Group 1 in the G1 Sires’ Produce Stakes at two.
“We've got the first crop of Anamoe’s to hit the racecourse this season. We made sure that each of the trainers had access to his stock. We're hugely excited about his prospects are going,” Walsh said.
“In terms of Australia, he’s as exciting a prospect as we've retired and physically (his 2-year-olds) are really eye-catching and have given us nothing but reasons for encouragement. It will be exciting to put them under some pressure, from now and throughout this year. He was obviously a very good older horse, but was also good enough to compete as a pre-Christmas 2-year-old at stakes level and was lucky not to win the Blue Diamond and Golden Slipper.
Amanoe | Standing at Darley
“I expect that some of his stock might be a bit more precocious even than their physical attributes might suggest at this stage. We've got a big group of them, so we're excited about them.”
Among Godolphin’s named Anamoe 2-year-olds are Gary Portelli-trained filly Yokoso who is out of G1 Golden Slipper winner Kiamichi (Sidestep). Ciaron Maher has the colt Seamless, who is a half-brother to Observer and Group 3 winner Sandpaper (Snitzel), as well as Catani Bridge who is out of Group 2 winner Ghisoni (Lonhro).
Bjorn Baker has been awarded Analogue who is a half-brother to Group 3 winner Zulfiqar (Exceed And Excel) while Tony and Calvin McEvoy have East Horizon, who is out of G3 Ottawa Stakes winner Antelucan (Domesday). Michael Freedman has been entrusted with Bivouac’s half-sister Tucana.
Chris Waller | Image courtesy of The Image Is Everything
Chris Waller has the filly Intimated from Group 3 winner Resin (Exceed And Excel), and he also has Group 3 winner Heuristic (Street Boss {USA})'s three-quarter sister Relevance. Pyrenees has been placed with Joe Pride, and the colt is a half-brother to Group 2 winner Corniche (Fastnet Rock) and Group 3 winner Heresy (Street Boss {USA}).
Older horses in the Blue Army
Godolphin have kept several of their boom 3-year-olds from last year in training, led by dual Group 1 winner Beiwacht, exciting mare Tempted as well as Green Spaces who “returns in the Winx and is preparing very well for spring features that could include a Cox Plate.”
“I'm pleased to report that we have a reasonably long list of good horses to step out in coming months. And at this stage of the year, all those dreams are very much still alive,” Walsh said.
“I'm pleased to report that we have a reasonably long list of good horses to step out in coming months. And at this stage of the year, all those dreams are very much still alive.” - Jason Walsh
“We're interested to see Attica return as a gelding. He was a good 3-year-old colt, a Group 1 winner and we think he's really come forward into his 4-year-old year.”
Trainer Joe Pride will run him at Rosehill on Saturday with the G1 Epsom Handicap as a goal.
Joe Pride | Image courtesy of Inglis
“His work and trials tell me he’s a sharper horse. He’s jumping out of the gates, he’s getting mobile, he’s putting himself in the contest which are things he wasn’t able to do. Or didn’t want to do as a colt,” Pride told racingnsw.com.au this week.
“He just looks a better racehorse now. I think there’s massive improvement to come over the next 12 months but I think you’ll see a pretty good horse this prep.”
Beiwacht will also be seen at Rosehill on Saturday as part of a Chris Waller exhibition gallop after race 1.
Beiwacht | Image courtesy of The Image Is Everything
“Beiwacht is like his father, who came back to win Group 1s at four and we think he's capable of that. He certainly put the writing on the wall in the All-Aged beating the older horses at the end of his 3-year-old season. He’s a high-class horse and when he puts it together, he can be utterly dominant,” Walsh said.
“Chris Waller is very pleased with how he's returned. He had some maturing to do mentally from the early part of his 3-year-old season and he's now getting towards being the finished article, which is exciting.”
“He (Beiwacht) had some maturing to do mentally from the early part of his 3-year-old season and he's now getting towards being the finished article, which is exciting.” - Jason Walsh
Last year, Tempted ran second to the world’s best sprinter Ka Ying Rising (NZ) (Shamexpress {NZ}) in the G1 The Everest, and heads there again this spring.
“Tempted is our leading candidate for the fairer sex. There's no question about that. She's on a path toward the Everest to try and compete again in the race that she was so good in last year,” Walsh said.
“Ciaron Maher is very pleased with how she's coming to hand. We expect to see her trial again in the next week or so.”
Tempted | Image courtesy of Georgia Young Photography
One who hasn’t yet made headlines yet but is unbeaten in two starts is Joe Pride-trained 4-year-old mare Maluku (Extreme Choice). Godolphin paid $250,000 for her from Newgate Farm’s Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale draft in 2024.
“Joe Pride has got an interesting Extreme Choice filly who we bought at Magic Millions called Maluku, who's unbeaten from two starts. We'd be hopeful for her.”
The Classic crop to build on their platform last season
Last season, Godolphin won the G3 Ottawa Stakes with Medicinal (Brazen Beau) who will miss this spring with a minor injury and the Listed Fernhill Handicap with Diameter (Brazen Beau) who also placed in the G1 Champagne Stakes for trainer Chris Waller.
This weekend, Michael Freedman trained Outspan (Bivouac) takes on a hot G3 Vain Stakes field to kick off the spring campaigns of this crop.
Outspan | Image courtesy of Michael Freedman Racing
Tempted’s half-brother Zambales (Pinatubo {GB}) placed in the G2 VRC Sires’ Produce Stakes for trainers Anthony and Sam Freedman last season. “He’s being set for the Golden Rose and Caulfield Guineas.”
Another Pinatubo (GB) who is one to watch is Chris Waller-trained Sequinned. “She won her maiden nicely on the Kensington and appears stakes class.” Waller also has Fondness (Frankel {GB}) “who we hope can improve to be a Flight Stakes or Thousand Guineas prospect.”
“We've got some really nice staying fillies. There’s a Ghaiyyath half-sister to Pericles called Abaya. She's probably an autumn filly, but looks to be doing everything very well for Anthony and Sam Freedman.”
Sequinned | Image courtesy of Georgia Young Photography
Abaya (Ghaiyyath {Ire}) has a massive pedigree, being out of blue hen Accessories (GB) (Singspiel {Ire}) who is the dam of Group 1 winners Helmet, Epaulette and Pericles, as well as Group 2 winner Pearls (Exceed And Excel), Group 3 winner and sire Bullbars and G1 South Australian Derby-placed Lavalier (Microphone).
An unraced 3-year-old colt to watch is Anagram (Street Boss {USA}) who is a full brother to Anamoe from Group 1 winner Anamato (Redoute’s Choice. He is with the Ciaron Maher stable, as is Skua (Ghaiyyath {Ire}) who is “on a Derby path.”
Youngsters aside from Anamoe
While the talk of the town is Anamoe among the crop who’ve just turned two, the Blue Army has several others to keep an eye on.
“Bivouac has really been gaining some momentum through the back end of this season in particular, and we've got a big group of ten 2-year-olds entering training. We’re looking forward to him establishing himself as a really important sire for us,” Walsh said.
“Harry Angel, we've got a handful of them. He's obviously established himself as an important sire of good class horses.
“He's (Harry Angel) obviously established himself as an important sire of good class horses.” - Jason Walsh
“And Paulele will have his first runners this year. He was a good racehorse and he has a hell of a pedigree behind him and is a good looking horses. He was also a pre-Christmas 2-year-old, and there’s every reason to think we should learn plenty about him in the next twelve months.
Harry Angel | Standing at Darley
“We've got some interesting Northern Hemisphere bred horses, a couple of Dubawis, and a couple of Frankels, and a couple of Kingmans, so there's some diversity in our program there. Obviously, when you're visiting sires of that quality in the Northern Hemisphere, they're out of very good mares, and we have some locally bred Too Darn Hot’s too.
“Paulele will have his first runners this year. He was a good racehorse and he has a hell of a pedigree behind him and is a good looking horses.” - Jason Walsh
“We've got some really nice horses amongst that group (of 2-year-olds). We don't really know enough about them at this stage having not put any pressure on them, but obviously with the trials in the next five or six weeks, we can start asking some questions and see which individuals put their hands up.”
Ultimately, it’s the winner’s post that is the only measurement that counts.
Paulele | Standing at Darley
“I'm 15 plus years of doing this and the only place that matters is the racecourse. That's where we find out what we've got. The wonderful thing about early August is there's lots of plans on the table and everything's going well and the racecourse will sort out whether that's true or not in the coming months.”
And is it possible to repeat the 2025/26 season? After all, it was Godolphin’s equal best since they took over from the Ingham family in 2008.
“We're always looking to evolve and get better at what we do. It’s true that if you've achieved it once, there's no reason you can't again.
“Eleven Group 1s is hard, but in terms of our mindset, we're very much striving to improve on that again.”
