Godolphin reigns supreme as 2025 Flat statistical champions announced
The Thoroughbred Breeders' Association today releases details of its annual Flat statistical-based awards for 2025 with Godolphin announced as the winner of the Queen’s Silver Cup for leading British-based Flat breeder.
The awards which are presented at the annual ceremony in July, are calculated from racecourse results throughout the calendar year and include both British and Irish statistics for British-based stallions and breeders.
Back-to-back Queen’s Silver Cup triumphs for Godolphin sees them win this prestigious prize for a 12th time and taking home three out of the four statistical awards available.
Godolphin’s domestic season was headlined by Falmouth Stakes heroine, Cinderella’s Dream, while further afield, their year commenced with Walk Of Stars’ victory in the Gr1 Al Maktoum Challenge at Meydan in January, followed by Dubai Future scoring in the Gr3 Nad Al Sheba Trophy in March and the Gr2 Dubai Gold Cup in April. Later in the season, three-year-old Cualificar took the Gr2 Prix Niel in September, while their 2024 2000 Guineas winner Notable Speech finished his four-year-old campaign with success in two North American Grade Ones - the Woodbine Mile and the Breeders’ Cup Mile.
Dubawi was crowned the leading British-based stallion by earnings over a calendar year for a record-extending 11th time and consecutive wins for the super-sire of the BBA Silver Cigar Box. Dubawi has now won the accolade 11 out of the past 12 years. The Dalham Hall Stud resident ended the campaign with total prize-money earnings of £4,721,071.
Darley’s kingpin was well represented across the year by outstanding horses such as Eclipse and Irish Champion Stakes winner Delacroix, Lockinge hero Lead Artist and the ever-consistent Rebel’s Romance, who were among his 18 individual stakes winners in UK and Ireland.
The Tattersalls Silver Salver for leading freshman sire (Flat earnings) goes to Godolphin’s Palace Pier.
A world champion miler by Kingman out of the Nayef mare Beach Frolic with impeccable credentials to succeed in his second career, Palace Pier has duly made a fine start with his first runners.
Palace Pier was himself unbeaten in two starts as a juvenile for John Gosden before achieving Group 1 victories at three and four in the St James's Palace Stakes, Prix Jacques le Marois (twice), Lockinge Stakes and Queen Anne Stakes.
His 12 first-crop winners are headed by Lowther Stakes winner and Cheveley Park Stakes third Royal Fixation, along with fellow Group winners Dr Omran and A Bit Of A Spirit. In total his progeny amassed more than £501,551 in prizemoney which also included stakes winner and Group-placed Morris Dancer.
Sam Bullard, Director, Darley Stallions said: “Everyone at Godolphin is delighted that the Queen’s Silver Cup will remain at Dalham Hall Stud for another year.
“2025 was an outstanding year for Godolphin, particularly with the unprecedented four Classic winners in 48 hours. Dubawi's position as a breed shaper continues to go from strength to strength, but we are particularly pleased to see Palace Pier take home the award for leading freshman sire following a superb first year that saw him sire seven Stakes performers. We are very excited to see what 2026 will bring for him."
Naomi Mellor, Chief Executive of the Thoroughbred Breeders Association said: “The statistical awards are extremely important in highlighting the on-track success of British based breeders and the performance of our stallions over the course of the year.
“Britain continues to boast some of the best thoroughbreds relative to the total number of foals born, indicating the quality of our bloodlines and breeding operations, all of which are underpinned by some of the best stallions in the world.
“Once again, our congratulations go to Godolphin, and we look forward to presenting them and all the remaining winners in person at the annual Flat Season Awards ceremony in July.”
Finally, the British EBF Barleythorpe Stud Silver Cup awarded to the leading British-based stallion (strike rate winners/runners) goes to Whitsbury Manor Stud’s Havana Grey, a son of Havana Gold out of the Dark Angel mare Blanc De Chine who sired a highly impressive 15 blacktype two-year-olds in 2025 and 52% winners to runners.
Among his best performers in 2025 was Elite Status, winner of the Gr3 Hackwood Stakes, who is joining his sire at Whitsbury Manor Stud for 2026. After Listed success in July, Havana Anna finished a close second in the Gr1 Cheveley Park Stakes in September, while Rumstar won a brace of Gr3s - the Palace House Stakes and the Coral Charge and Symbol Of Honour took the Gr2 Sandy Lane Stakes.
Ed Harper of Whitsbury Manor Stud said: “We are delighted that Havana Grey has been awarded the Barleythorpe Cup for the best winning strike rate. For Havana Grey to be able to achieve this without yet having any runners from his elevated stud fees is quite remarkable. We would like to thank all the breeders that have supported him.”
The four statistical awards will be presented at the annual TBA Flat Breeders’ Awards Evening which will take place at Chippenham Park on Wednesday, 8 July 2026.
* The Statistical Awards cover the calendar year 2025 and relate to racing in GB and Ireland only – statistics kindly provided by Weatherbys.
2025 Flat Statistical Winners
Queen’s Silver Cup (Leading British-based Flat breeders (Flat earnings) - Godolphin
BBA Silver Cigar Box (Leading British-based stallion (Flat earnings) - Dubawi
Tattersalls Silver Salver (Leading British-based first season sire (Flat earnings) - Palace Pier
British EBF Barleythorpe Stud Silver Cup (Leading British-based stallion (strike rate winners/runners) - Havana Grey