Emirates extends sponsorship of Dubai's Godolphin stable

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    {
        'caption' => 'Emirates\' Senior Vice President Commercial Operations Africa, Nasser Bin Kherbash (left), is pictured with Godolphin trainer Saeed bin Suroor at the announcement of Emirates\' continued sponsorship of the Godolphin stable. Also pictured are Emirates cabin crew members Sarah Kearsley (left) and Nadia Dalil.',
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The agreement, signed between Emirates Airline and Godolphin, is a multi-million dollar deal which will see the Dubai-based airline sponsor the Godolphin stable for the next five years.

Emirates has been supporting the internationally acclaimed Godolphin operation for several years and this deal sees the airline extend its previous contract signed in 2002. In that time Godolphin, like Emirates itself, has achieved impressive growth and great success.

When Emirates first started its relationship with Godolphin, the stable had some 60 horses in training in Dubai and Newmarket. Today that number is closer to 350 and this rate of development represents an excellent opportunity for international exposure for Emirates.

Emirates will benefit from the high profile of the stable with its 'Fly Emirates' logo featuring on the silks worn by Godolphin's jockeys as well as grooms' clothing and horse blankets. In addition, the 'Fly Emirates' logo will also appear on Godolphin horseboxes in the UK at all of the meetings at which the stable has runners.

Emirates believes that sports sponsorship is an excellent way of connecting with its customers. Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al-Maktoum, Emirates' Chairman, said: 'Sports sponsorships provide an international platform that we use to connect with our customers, sharing and supporting their interests and passions. It also helps us promote Dubai in the international arena as a premier business and tourist destination, as well as the 77 other cities across our network.

'Horse racing, with its global appeal is a perfect vehicle for this and as one of the world's most successful racing stables, Godolphin reflects the same ambitions as Emirates. There is obviously a great synergy between our respective areas of excellence as we are both Dubai companies that have achieved great international recognition.'

Godolphin racing manager Simon Crisford said: 'Godolphin is delighted to extend its association with Emirates. We have enjoyed working with Emirates for the past few years and we are very pleased that the airline will continue to share in any success Godolphin enjoys.

'Emirates has a wonderful portfolio of sports sponsorships and everyone at Godolphin is very proud to be part of that. As a Dubai-based stable, it is great for us to be sponsored by Dubai's award-winning international airline.'

Having been established just 11 years, Godolphin has achieved unparalleled success in international racing. It has always been associated with the best horses and jockeys, with Frankie Dettori alone having ridden nearly 500 winners for the stable. With an international record of having had runners in 14 countries, Godolphin has won 115 Group or Grade One races with 59 individual horses. It has won numerous Classics around the world with the stable's best horse to date being the outstanding champion Dubai Millennium.

In addition to Godolphin, Emirates sports sponsorships include the Dubai World Cup, The Emirates Melbourne Cup, The Emirates Singapore Derby, Emirates Team New Zealand in the America's Cup and the 2006 FIFA World Cup among many others.

Emirates' sponsorship of Godolphin shows a true pedigree in the equine world and confirms Emirates' commitment to international horse racing.