Two former Godolphin runners in Dubai yard

Mike de Kock has acquired two former Godolphin runners for the 2022 Dubai World Cup Carnival. Three-year-old geldings Magical Land (Frankel, headline photo) and First Order (Dubawi) have joined his string in the Blue Stables at Meydan alongside existing De Kock team members Marshall, Najem Suheil, Majestic Mambo and Celtic Voyager.

Magical Land, formerly trained by Charlie Appleby, has raced seven times for a win and five places. He last ran at Newmarket in July, when he won a handicap over a mile on the July course in the hands of William Buick.

Magical Land is a half-brother to Althiqa, the 2021 Gr1 Diana Stakes winner and he was bought for Mohammad Mardood’s Blue Racing Syndicate, Mike himself and the new Gulf Racing Club.

Mardood, Mike de Kock’s representative and assistant trainer in Dubai, owns a share in Magical Land and he put together the interests from the United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom and Australia. He said: “I started the Blue Racing Syndicate for friends and acquaintances to bring new ownership together so we can experience success at the highest standards of racing around the globe with Mdk Racing.”

The other shares are held by Gulf Racing Club, a new group administered by Vermaak Equine and comprising of South Africans Wilfred Pirzl, Brent Donnelly, Mpho Themba, Suzette and Basie Viljoen, Etienne Braun and Wayne Mealing.

Mohammad Mardood.

First Order is owned by Mardood’s Blue Stable Syndicate alongside Mike and also exceptionally well bred. He was born from Punctilious, the top race mare who finished third to Ouija Board in the 2004 G1 The Oaks and won the G1 Yorkshire Oaks.

“We’re rebuilding the yard with quality horses and we value the support received so far,” said Mardood, who worked as a Masar Godolphin graduate in 2018 and is now under Mike’s astute mentorship.