Sheikh Mohammed's Godolphin has hitherto stayed away from The Everest although they have always hotly contested The Melbourne Cup annually - finally winning the iconic race last year. Finally, the world's breeding and racing superpower have now joined hands with The Everest spectacle to prove the might of Godolphin homebred as the world's leading sprinters.

Vin Cox, Godolphin Australia's as Managing Director of Godolphin in Australia tells Everest diaries about the business of preparing to win The Everest from his vantage point of running one of the largest thoroughbred racing operations in Australia

ED: How did this journey come about? What is your ultimate goal for The Everest slot?

VC: There are 12 Everest slots in existence and one came up for sale. We were in the fortunate position that we could tender for that open slot. We were granted the opportunity to become a slot owner in the 2019 running of The Everest. We are very excited to be part of the journey towards The Everest.

ED: What are your plans for the Everest slot?

VC: We are in the very fortunate position of having a very strong stable of Godolphin owned and bred horses. We have identified a few contenders at this stage heading towards The Everest and the best horse will reveal itself in the campaign. We look forward to picking one of those horses.

ED: What are the 3 P’s (physical, performance, and pedigree) which Godolphin will be looking for in their contender?

VC: The primary thing we are looking for is performance. We will choose that horse that’s in the best form, against the best company leading into the race. Given that all the horses we are aiming at The Everest will be by our stallions and from our families, that will be a great bonus for the Godolphin bred horses and Darley stallions.

ED: Does Godolphin have any plans to replicate their Australian investment in America as well, with perhaps the Pegasus?

VC: Godolphin Australia’s mandate is to look after the interests of Godolphin and Sheikh Mohammed in Australia. That’s a wider conversation for the group generally and certainly Godolphin America as to their ambitions for the Pegasus.