About us
Darley is HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum's global breeding operation which currently stands stallions in six countries around the world.
In 2003, Darley purchased Kelvinside Stud from well-known breeder and former jockey Hilton Cope. The property has been developed into a world-class facility with the capacity to stand 18 stallions.
In order to accommodate Darley's ever rapidly growing business, another property was purchased in 2006, this time at Seymour in Victoria. Known as Northwood Park, the farm is a historic horse and cattle property and is able to accommodate a further 12 stallions.
Heading up the 2009 roster are two of the world’s hottest young stallions, Street Cry and Exceed And Excel. Sire of G1 winners from each of his first three crops including eight from his first two, Street Cry’s Australian runners are highlighted by Australia’s highest-rated three-year-old and outstanding G1 Caulfield Guineas winner Whobegotyou and G1 colt Predatory Pricer. Sensational Australian sprinter Exceed And Excel was last year’s Champion first season sire and is also sire of G1 Blue Diamond winner Reward For Effort from his second crop. Both stallions will stand this season at Darley’s Kelvinside stud at Aberdeen in NSW.
Darley’s roster will be bolstered once again in 2009 with the addition of six first-season stallions. New Approach, European Champion two-year-old, multiple G1-winning three-year-old and the world’s highest rated racehorse of 2008, will head the new stallions and stand at Darley’s Northwood Park in Victoria. Joining the shuttle is G1-winning two-year-old and the best three-year-old in the world in 2007, Authorized; European Champion juvenile and dual G1 winner Teofilo who retired with his unbeaten record intact; Street Boss, America’s multiple record-breaking and multiple G1 winning speed horse by Street Cry; Europe’s Champion first-season sire of 2008, Kheleyf; and Musket, Makybe Diva’s G2-winning three-quarter brother by Redoute’s Choice.
World Champion three-year-old Bernardini will serve his second Australian book in the upcoming season and will be once again joined by another World Champion in multiple G1-winning sprinter Henny Hughes together with three of America's best three-year-olds in 2007, Street Sense, Any Given Saturday and Hard Spun.
Also standing his second season is Shaft, who was a brilliant two-year-old, making such an impression on his racecourse debut when winning the Silver Slipper.
Adding to the diverse roster are multiple G1 winners Dubawi, Shamardal and Tiger Hill; Danehill's impeccably-bred son Gonski, Blue Diamond winner Nadeem and Zabeel's unbeaten dual G1-winning son Reset.
Following Sheikh Mohammed's acquistion in 2008 of Woodlands Stud, Darley is proud to be standing 11-time G1 winner Lonhro, alongside an impressive line-up that comprises Strategic, Quest For Fame, Domesday, Commands, Canny Lad and Ad Valorem.
In addition to standing stallions, Darley also manages the racing interests of Sheikh Mohammed and various members of the Maktoum family, and has racehorses with various trainers in the UK, Ireland, France, the United States, Australia and Japan. The best of these horses will transfer to Godolphin, to race in the famous blue silks that have been carried to victory in numerous G1 races across the globe.