Rankings slump gives Godolphin cause for concern concern

While Sheikh Mohammed and wife Princess Haya no doubt celebrated that two of their horses were rated in the top three when the 2008 World Thoroughbred Rankings were announced yesterday, the absence of any Godolphin-trained horse from the top end of the list must give the ruler of Dubai cause for concern.

Epsom Derby winner New Approach, trained by Jim Bolger, and John Gosden's Breeders' Cup Classic hero Raven's Pass, who run in Princess Haya's colours, were given rankings of 130 and 129 respectively.

But the highest-rated horse running in the famous royal blue of Godolphin was Cocoa Beach, who was campaigned successfully in America last year, winning two Grade 1 races.

The official Godolphin website but a positive spin on the 2008 World Thoroughbred Rankings by claiming that their horses had been "rated highly", but Cocoa Beach was ranked joint 36th with a rating of just 119 - the lowest the top Godolphin horse has been awarded in the final classifications in recent history.

Ramonti was the stable flag-bearer in 2007 with a rating of 123 while Discreet Cat (128) led the way in 2006.

Godolphin had eight top-grade winners in 2008 but Creachadoir's Lockinge win at Newbury was their sole victory in Europe, with five others coming in America, one in Canada as well as All The Good's Caulfield Cup success in Australia.