New Godolphin chief Osborne far from blue as he plans for future

Joe Osborne, Godolphin's new chief executive, hopes a Royal Ascot that put a "smile on everyone's face" can provide a platform to propel the organisation to more success.

Osborne has recently stepped into the role vacated by Sheikh Mohammed's longtime right-hand man John Ferguson, but is no stranger to the operation having been involved in arms of the business for the last 24 years.

His appointment was announced during Royal Ascot, where Godolphin enjoyed six winners including big-race strikes for Barney Roy in the St James's Palace Stakes and Ribchester's victory in the Queen Anne.

Joe Osborne: recently stepped into the role vacated by Sheikh Mohammed's longtime right-hand man John FergusonCredit: Lorraineosullivan

"It was a huge week for us and everywhere Godolphin is based they realise the importance of Royal Ascot," said Osborne, who had been Godolphin's managing director in Ireland.

"Focusing on that success and trying to build on it with successful racehorses and successful stallions [is what we'll try to do].

"Over the next six weeks or so I've got to get around the global team and I don't want to go talking about what ideas I've got, but I do have some, obviously.

"I also have goals, but I don't think it'd be appropriate for our team to be reading about it in the paper before I get to talk to everybody first hand.

"The great thing about this business is your success is measured in a very public way – on the racecourse and on the stallion tables. It's quite easy to see what you're achieving."

Goodwood participation

Osborne, who will continue to live in Ireland but will be a frequent visitor to Newmarket and other Godolphin locations around the world, added: "It's a huge honour to be asked to do it. It's a big job, but we've a great team of people who work for us everywhere and I see my role as just harnessing that skill, energy and enthusiasm to move the whole company forward."

He would not be drawn on the participation of Godolphin horses at Glorious Goodwood in light of the diplomatic row between the meeting's sponsors Qatar and Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Egypt and Bahrain, but it seems a boycott would be unlikely after eight horses owned by Sheikh Mohammed were on Wednesday entered in the Goodwood Cup and Nassau Stakes.

"I'm not in a position to discuss that," said Osborne, whose employers also have ten horses engaged in the Group 1 Qatar Sussex Stakes, the £1 million highlight of Goodwood's year.