Ten things you might not know about . . . Godolphin

1. Sheikh Mohammed named Godolphin in honour of the Godolphin Arabian, who came from the desert to become one of the three founding stallion fathers of the thoroughbred breed alongside the Darley Arabian and the Byerley Turk. Also known as the Godolphin Barb, he was foaled in Yemen in about 1724; after several changes of ownership also featuring the Bey of Tunis and the King of France, he was bought by Francis, 2nd Earl of Godolphin. Hence his name. He sired only about 80 foals before his death in 1753; it's a fair bet he might have been a bit busier these days.

2. According to their own mission statement on their website, Godolphin are “to reflect the spirit of Dubai” and “to be number one”. Using the British owners' title as a barometer, they've not done too badly on the latter score: in 2015, Godolphin became champion owner for the tenth time in 20 years.

3. Cutwater became Godolphin's first runner – and winner – in a maiden held at the opening meeting at Dubai's flagship venue Nad Al Sheba on Christmas Eve 1992. Formerly trained by John Gosden, the three-year-old son of Be My Guest represented Godolphin's first trainer Hilal Ibrahim and was ridden by Dennis Batteate, who was to become the first UAE champion jockey in that inaugural 1992-93 season.