FERGUSON QUITS SHEIK’S STABLE

SHEIK MOHAMMED’S Godolphin stable lurched into fresh crisis yesterday as the sudden resignation of chief executive John Ferguson confirmed deep rifts in the organisation.

Ferguson’s departure comes after Saeed bin Suroor, who shares Godolphin training duties at Newmarket with Charlie Appleby, revealed he operated independently of Ferguson and answered directly to the Sheik.

Four-time champion trainer Bin Suroor also said he could not work under the management structure that had imposed jockey James Doyle on him — he no longer uses the rider — and criticised the quality of two-year-old horses sent to him this spring.

Ferguson, who had worked for the sheik for 25 years, said Bin Suroor’s comments had made his position untenable. He added: ‘My stepping down will allow everyone to draw a line under things and move forward.’

Ferguson was promoted to Godolphin chief executive in December 2015. His brief was to improve results at the underperforming stable and progress has been made, although Godolphin remain firmly in the shadow of Ireland’s Coolmore Stud and their trainer Aidan O’Brien.