Racing: Godolphin replenishes team

International racing stable Godolphin has announced a raft of new recruits for next season, including Racing Post Trophy winner Palace Episode.

The Kevin Ryan-trained juvenile impressed in winning the Doncaster Group One last month and, after being bought for an undisclosed sum, is set to join Sheikh Mohammed's operation.

Another high-profile buy is the ex-Italian-trained Electrocutionist, winner of the Juddmonte International Stakes at York in August. The 4-year-old was last seen finishing third in the Canadian International at Woodbine.

Winged Cupid, which finished 1 1/2 lengths behind Palace Episode in the Racing Post Trophy, will also join the "boys in blue".

He will leave the care of Mark Johnston, as will Stepping Up, a nine-length winner on his debut in a Newcastle maiden in September.

Trainer Saeed bin Suroor will have his classic ranks swelled even further after Godolphin struck a deal to buy Jeff Smith's Opera Cape.

The Barathea colt lifted the Solario Stakes before going on to be placed in Group One company on two occasions, rounding off with a third in the Dewhurst Stakes.

Smith has also sold his St Leger runner-up The Geezer to Godolphin. He was last seen when finishing fourth in a Longchamp Group Two on Arc Weekend.

Bin Suroor will also be able to call on Royal Lodge Stakes winner Leo, which was formerly trained by John Gosden and owned by Sheikh Mohammed's wife Princess Haya.

Also on the move is Deveron, which finished third for Clive Brittain in the Prix Marcel Boussac when owned by Saif Ali.

Godolphin also takes over Haydock Sprint Cup winner Goodricke, after the retirement of his trainer David Loder, while Michael Jarvis loses Iffraaj to the operation.

"At this time of the year, we always transfer some horses into our team and make some additional purchases," racing manager Simon Crisford told www.godolphin.com.

"We are hoping these horses will add strength to the stable.

"In keeping with our global ambitions, most of our new horses will have international targets during the next few years.

"We will not be making any specific plans until we have had a chance to assess them after they have arrived in Dubai."

- NZPA