JOE Osborne says he has been humbled by the messages of goodwill he has received since this week’s announcement that he is leaving Godolphin Ireland after 32 years of service.

Joe’s late father Michael was instrumental in establishing Kildanagn Stud as the centrepiece of Sheikh Mohammed’s Irish bloodstock operation in 1986. Joe joined Darley in 1994, having relocated from Kentucky, and led operations at Kildangan.

During Joe’s time at Kildangan, the Godolphin brand burst onto the scene and became a leading global force in racing. Joe was also closely involved in the development of the racing and breeding operations in France, America, Australia and Japan.

“I have had a great career journey, both locally and internationally,” he said. “I am very grateful for the varied and rewarding opportunities I have been given.

“I have enjoyed focussing on the Irish activities for the last few years and I am now keen to consider other opportunities. We have a great team of people at Godolphin Ireland, and I am confident that they will continue the successes of the world-class company we have built together.”

Osborne told The Irish Field: “There’s been calls, texts and emails all week, from far and wide, including lovely messages from people I haven’t been in touch with for years. It’s been very gratifying.”

Asked how he felt about the decision to step away, he said: “I look back with gratitude and look forward with optimism. That’s definitely the case. I’ve had incredible opportunities along the way, been involved in a lot of projects, worked with a lot of great people. Some people would never have even a single one of those opportunities in their life, so I realise how blessed I’ve been.”

He says he is most proud of his involvement in the development of the Godolphin Flying Start Programme and Darley Australia.

“I was there from the start of Flying Start when it was first mooted in 2002. That’s been a fantastic journey, just to be involved in that education, the mentoring and the pastoral element of that. It’s been great to see so many of our graduates going on to fantastic careers.”

Kildangan Stud has developed into one of the world’s most powerful stallion stations. Asked to name some of the best stallions to have stood there during his time, Osborne said: “Cape Cross is one that I have a personal affinity for because he was born the year I started there and he ended up being a fantastic stallion.

“In more recent times, Shamardal was a super stallion and look at what Night Of Thunder has done in recent times. The stallion aspect of what we’ve done has been incredibly rewarding.

“We became a lot more commercial in the late 90s and early 2000s and that’s been a huge success, not just within Europe, but globally as well.”

With 38 years of experience with Godolphin Ireland, Jimmy Hyland steps into the leadership role from his previous position as stud director.

Asked if he had any advice for his successor, Osborne said: “No, but I was actually talking to one of the team today and I just said to them ‘Trust your instincts.’ I think we’ve got great people that just seem to have that natural ability to make good decisions.

“Of all the things I feel proud of, top of the list is the company that we’ve built here in Ireland. We measure ourselves by the best in the country, if not the world. I’m not taking credit for that but it feels proud to be a part of it. It’s been a very gratifying part of my role to be leading the Irish team.”

At just 62 years of age, Osborne plans to remain deeply involved in the industry. “I’m still chairman of the Irish Farriery Authority and I will continue to be involved in the Godolphin Stud and Stable Staff Awards.

“But I am open to suggestions and offers. I love the game – I tend to go racing on my days off – and think I’ve got plenty of good years left in me.”