I usually have plenty of time for the Irish maestro Jim Bolger, but I think his condemnation of the ground after his filly Cuis Ghaire lost her unbeaten record at Leopardstown last week was probably a case of sour grapes.

On ground officially described as good to firm the Epsom Derby-winning handler had plenty of time to raise his doubts about the surface, and indeed a race was even run over the same course and distance half an hour before. He didn’t saddle a runner but had the opportunity to ask any one of the 12 jockeys or trainers who did compete before allowing his filly to take her chance.

After a long, hot gruelling summer, things in the Emirates will step up a gear as work riders and other racing staff return from their holidays ready for a new season.

Most employees are expected to saddle up on August 1 to begin the process of getting their four-legged friends fit for the 2008-09 season. Some however, including Erwan Charpy, tend to leave their charges a little longer and most are not sat upon until the middle of next month.

A typical preparation regime consists of two to three weeks walking and trotting, before gradually stepping up to steady hacks and canters for a further three weeks. Finally horses get the chance to stretch their legs, and, depending on the individual, often stride along over approximately 800 metres for the last leg of the process. The whole term usually lasts around 12 to 14 weeks – injuries excluded.

First-time visitors to any race course probably have very little knowledge of, or are unable to appreciate, how much effort it takes to achieve such a spectacular sporting event, and I’m not just talking about the racecourse manager or groundsman.

Let’s take an example from last week’s July meeting from Newmarket.

A fantastic opening day for Tom Dascombe following his initial Group success as a trainer, when Classic Blade cut through the 1,200m straight in vintage style, soon turned into an unbelievable two days after the Lambourn-based handler saddled his second Pattern winner in as many days courtesy of Firth Of Fifth.

Having saddled his 12th European Group One winner of the 2008 season courtesy of Mount Nelson in the Eclipse last Saturday, Aidan O’Brien is understandably going to feature quite prominently in the trade press headlines, but while the achievements by the team at Ballydoyle in Ireland are astounding, it’s easy to forget what a remarkable record the Dubai-based Godolphin also boast.

However, not to be overshadowed by their main rivals, the team of His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice- President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, in the royal blue corner recently published a list reminding people of the great success they have also enjoyed over the years, on their hugely informative and popular website. Here are a few facts and figures.

• Since 1994, 140 thoroughbreds have romped to a Group/Grade One success, and in total, those famous blue colours have finished first no less than 1,254 times.
• Of the 178 jockeys to have ridden for the stable, no surprise to see that Frankie Dettori has steered the most to victory with 626 winners to date, 92 at Group level.
• Cutwater holds the distinction of being the first horse to represent the yard on Christmas Eve at Nad Al Sheba in 1994. Unfortunately it was not a winning start.

I strongly recommend you look at www.godolphin.com for up-to-date news, stats and special features.

When Clare Balding interrupted coverage of the Hickstead Derby on Sunday to inform viewers that Ryan Moore had been fined Dh5,800 following an ‘altercation’ with a member of race course staff at the Curragh, I was sure the presenter had been given duff information. It’s hard enough to get a word out of the former British champion jockey; therefore, a fine for allegedly displaying ‘violent or improper conduct’ seems almost impossible.

However, I was wrong and after a gateman failed to allow the calm and collected Moore into a specific area of the course, the jockey quite rightly took offence. That’s the trouble with freelance race course staff; they are simply drafted in to help staff the big race meetings and have almost no idea what the game is all about.

If the likes of, let’s say, Lester Piggott, or John Magnier don’t have the correct pass or colour coded badge for a certain area, would it be right to refuse them entry?