GODOLPHIN is to boost its commercial strength in Europe this year by basing some of its team in this country. With accommodation limited to just 48 horses in Newmarket, Sheikh Mohammed yesterday unveiled plans in Dubai to send some of his 90 two year olds to the Kildangan Stud on the Curragh rather than expand Moulton Paddocks.

The juveniles will be spread between Dubai, England and Ireland according to their maturity, with, only around a dozen likely to make the initial Newmarket team.

"We have 90 two year olds altogether. Some will stay here and some will go to Ireland. But we will only take between 12 and 14 to England to start with," the Sheikh said.

"They will be brought over as they are ready to race because some are backward. We will race one or two and if they have had enough, send them to Ireland and replace them with others.

We like our small place in Newmarket and we can't handle any more horses there."