Dubai: Godolphin have demonstrated their intent to end their long wait for a second Epsom Derby (G1) triumph by acquiring top shares in Jack Hobbs, a leading contender for the June 6 showpiece.

A son of Dalham Hall Stud’s star stallion Halling, one Godolphin’s all-time most successful horses with five Group 1 victories, Jack Hobbs will now race in the stable’s famous royal blue silks.

Team Godolphin, which was created by His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai in 1992, have won the Derby just once, when Walter Swinburn rode Lammtarra to a famous victory in 1995.

John Ferguson, Bloodstock Adviser to Shaikh Mohammed, said in a statement posted on the Godolphin website: “Jack Hobbs has run just three times and has shown remarkable progression.

“John Gosden, who also trained his sire Halling for us, has a high opinion of the colt.

“He has loads of scope and class and looks like the kind of horse that will only improve with age.”

The deal was brokered by Blandford Bloodstock, one of Europe’s leading bloodstock, breeding and racing consultancies, whose co-owner Tom Goff said: “There has been a lot of interest in Jack Hobbs. The possibilities for him are the Derby, the King Edward VII Stakes and the Irish Derby. I believe he’s got an exciting future.”

Blandford Bloodstock also helped broker the deal for Godolphin’s astute purchase of the Ed Walker-trained Lightning Moon, a highly regarded sprinter by prolific Kildangan Stud stallion Shamardal.

Jack Hobbs, who also holds entries in the Group 2 King Edward VII Stakes (Royal Ascot, June 20) and the Group 1 Coral-Eclipse Stakes (Sandown Park, July 24), stormed into the Derby picture in April when recording a thumping 12-length victory in the bet365 Handicap at Sandown Park.

In his subsequent start he was beaten 2 3/4 lengths by stable companion Golden Horn in the Group 2 Dante Stakes at York a little over a week ago.

Godolphin are also hoping to be represented at Epsom by the Bin Surour trained Best Of Times, a son of Dubawi, who is unbeaten in his last three starts.

The stable, who have been a dominant force in world racing, have amassed over 1,500 wins including over 220 at Group 1 level.

However, it is the major prizes like the Derby, that the operation have long pooled their resources at.

Last year True Story, the first Derby runner since Rewiliding in 2010, finished seventh to Australia.