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Godolphin and Dubawi among the big winners as TBA's 2024 statistical awards are announced

Dubawi: Darley's phenomenal sire
Dubawi: "he continues to excel at the highest level"Credit: Edward Whitaker

The Thoroughbred Breeders' Association has announced the winners of its annual Flat statistical-based awards for 2024, with Godolphin taking home the Queen’s Silver Cup for leading British-based Flat breeder.

Having relinquished the crown last year to Shadwell, Godolphin wrestled it back for their 11th win in this category. Their domestic season was headlined by a pair of colts in 2,000 Guineas and Sussex Stakes hero Notable Speech and Shadow Of Light, the newly crowned champion juvenile with wins in the Middle Park and Dewhurst Stakes. 

Dubawi was crowned the leading British-based stallion by earnings for a record-extending tenth time, regaining the British EBF Barleythorpe Stud Silver Cup, which is now awarded for winner to runner strike-rate. He also claimed the BBA Silver Cigar Box, which is awarded to Britain’s leading sire by earnings over the calendar year.

Darley's champion sire was represented by the aforementioned Notable Speech alongside the Oaks one-two Ezeliya and Dance Sequence, plus the globe-trotting Rebel’s Romance. The gelding landed the Champions & Chater Cup in Hong Kong, the Preis von Europa at Cologne and the Breeders’ Cup Turf at Del Mar. 

William Buick with Notable Speech and Charlie Appleby after the 2000 Guineas
Notable Speech: 2,000 Guineas and Sussex Stakes winner contributed to Godolphin and Dubawi's haulCredit: Edward Whitaker

Dubawi was also represented by Superlative Stakes winner and Dewhurst third Ancient Truth and Autumn Stakes scorer Delacroix, runner-up in the Futurity Trophy. 

Claire Sheppard, chief executive of the TBA said: “The statistical awards are important in highlighting track success of British based breeders and stallions over the course of the year. Britain has the highest proportion of world-class thoroughbreds relative to the total number of foals born, indicating the quality of bloodlines and breeding operations, and all underpinned by many of the best stallions in the world. 

"Our congratulations to Godolphin and Dubawi, and we look forward to presenting them and all the winners in person at the annual Flat Season Awards ceremony on July 9."

Sam Bullard, director of Darley stallions, added: "Everyone at Godolphin is delighted the Queen's Silver Cup is heading back to Dalham Hall Stud. 2024 was a tremendous year for both team Godolphin and the Darley stallions and it is very fitting that Notable Speech, by our flagbearer Dubawi, has contributed to both the leading breeder award and to Dubawi’s double success.

"Dubawi continues to excel at the highest level and is now being challenged by his own sons as the future champions in waiting. We are incredibly fortunate to have him." 

Sergei Prokofiev: sire of Group 3 winner and top-level-placed Arizona Blaze
Sergei Prokofiev: winner of the Tattersalls Silver Salver

Simon Sweeting, chairman of the EBF added: "The British EBF are pleased to be sponsoring the Barleythorpe Stud Silver Cup this year.  The award focuses on a stallion's winners to runners strike-rate which is an important indicator for breeders of a stallion's ability to produce winning progeny.

"Our congratulations to all connections of Dubawi. Again, he has proven himself an icon of the British stallion ranks, and we are grateful for the support his enduring success makes to the British EBF's prize-money contributions."

Having received the Tattersalls Silver Salver for leading freshman sire on three previous occasions with Showcasing, Adaay and Havana Grey, Whitsbury Manor struck again thanks to Sergei Prokofiev. His 23 British and Irish winners include Arizona Blaze, a winner of the Marble Hill Stakes and placed in the Phoenix Stakes and Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint.

Ed Harper, stud director of Whitsbury Manor, said: “We're delighted that Sergei Prokofiev has won the leading first season sire award. With 29 individual juvenile winners worldwide, including a second in the Breeders Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint, and top performers in the Middle East. He offers British breeders an exciting commercial option."

The four statistical awards will be presented at the annual TBA Flat Breeders’ Awards evening, which takes place at Chippenham Park on Wednesday, July 9.


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