Godolphin land third successive John Deere Award following Breeders' Cup wins

Godolphin have won a third consecutive John Deere Award, honouring the outstanding breeder of the 2020 Breeders’ Cup World Championships and the Breeders’ Cup Challenge Series, thanks to the successes of Lord North, Essential Quality and She's A Julie.

The John Deere Award, presented by Breeders’ Cup Limited and NTRA Advantage, highlights the contributions of breeders to the Breeders’ Cup programme.

The award winner is determined by the breeder who received the highest number of victories in Graded/Group stakes in the Breeders’ Cup Challenge Series of 81 stakes races in nine countries, and in the 14 Breeders’ Cup World Championships races, which was held this year at Keeneland.

Each Grade/Group 1 win was worth ten points; Grade/Group 2 wins were worth six points; Grade/Group 3 wins were worth four points; and Listed wins were worth two points.

Godolphin's runners earned 40 points by winning four Group/Grade 1 races in Britain and the United States. Godolphin finished ten points in front of Coolmore and Northern Farm/Northern Racing, who tied for second place with 30 points apiece.

Godolphin’s run to the title began in June, when She’s A Julie, a daughter of Elusive Quality out of Kydd Gloves, captured the Ogden Phipps Stakes at Belmont Park, which was a 'win and you’re in' for the Breeders’ Cup Distaff.

Just four days later, Lord North, a son of Dubawi out of the Giant’s Causeway mare Najoum, gave Godolphin its second victory in the competition when winning the Prince of Wales’s Stakes at Royal Ascot. The success earned Lord North a free berth into the Breeders’ Cup Turf.

Lord North: the son of Dubawi earned a free berth to the Breeders' Cup after his Prince of Wales's triumphCredit: Pool

The two-year-old colt Essential Quality secured the John Deere title for Godolphin when striking at Keeneland by three-quarters of a length. The striking son of Tapit and Delightful Quality took the Claiborne Breeders’ Futurity last month, which earned him an automatic starting position in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile.

“Godolphin’s third consecutive John Deere Award is a true testament to their long-time success among international breeders,” said Dora Delgado, Breeders’ Cup chief racing officer and executive vice-president.

“We congratulate His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum and the entire Godolphin team, and we are grateful to this organisation and the continuing commitment from all thoroughbred breeders around the world who support the Breeders’ Cup racing and nomination programmes.

“We are also very proud of our partners John Deere and NTRA Advantage for recognising the importance of the breeding industry with the sponsorship of this award."

Jimmy Bell, president of Godolphin USA, said: “The Breeders’ Cup and John Deere’s commitment to international racing reflects the goals and ambitions of the global Godolphin breeding programme to strive to compete at the highest level. Godolphin is honoured to be recognised with this award.”

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