Godolphin Honored as Outstanding Owner

In just three short races spanning just two complete months, Essential Quality brought into sharp relief the possibility of achieving American classic glory for his connections. 

Bred and campaigned by Godolphin, Essential Quality is a horse two generations in the making for Godolphin. The gray Tapit  colt is out of another homebred, Delightful Quality, who was bred in the name of Darley, an arm of the Godolphin program. She is a daughter of Elusive Quality, who was raced throughout his career by Godolphin principal Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum. 

Essential Quality's three wins from as many starts, which include top-level scores in the Claiborne Breeders' Futurity (G1) and TVG Breeders' Cup Juvenile Presented by Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance (G1), pushed his 2020 earnings to $1,335,144. 

"It's so exciting to win any Breeders' Cup race, but when you have a 2-year-old colt that is a homebred… it's the cherry on top," said Godolphin's Jimmy Bell. "That's where the joy is: in celebrating with people who put so much time in behind the scenes of all this. It made it so special to have the team here, and it's a tribute to Sheikh Mohammed and his overall breeding plan.

"If you didn't dream, you probably wouldn't be in this business," Bell said. "A lot of this is based on dreams. For those lucky and fortunate enough to have lived the dream—which we have done—certainly you dream." 

In North America, Essential Quality was merely the leading runner in an otherwise strong year for the racing outfit.

Fair Maiden, winner of the La Brea Stakes (G1), was among others who graced the winner's circle while wearing the signature Godolphin blue. A daughter of Darley stallion Street Boss , out of another Godolphin-campaigned runner, Shieldmaiden (by Smart Strike), the Eoin Harty trainee made three starts in 2020, winning at the allowance level and finishing fourth in the Qatar Fort Springs Stakes before taking home top honors in the La Brea. The now 4-year-old holds a 4-1-1 record from 8 starts and earnings of $321,278. 

Adding to the stakes tally through the end of the season were Mystic Guide and Pixelate, winners of the Jim Dandy Stakes (G2) and Del Mar Derby (G2T), respectively; and Matt Win Stakes (G3) winner Maxfield along with Indiana Derby (G3) winner Shared Sense.

In 2020, Godolphin-campaigned horses racing in North America made 361 starts and compiled an 80-54-48 record. Total earnings for the year came to $5,703,770.