There is pressure and then there is pressure. For instance, when Australian tennis star Pat Rafter got labelled "the world's sexiest man" by a women's magazine, John McEnroe shook his head and lamented: "Now that is pressure!"

In the circumstances, Sheikh Mohammed al Maktoum wouldn't appear to have much to darken his mood. Presumably he has his blue periods, like the rest of us, but helping to rule a country that is floating on a substantial amount of the world's oil supply must be of some consolation.

But that is a big presumption of a man who spends his life expecting rather a lot from himself. It's Sheikh Mohammed who has said: "The best place to find a helping hand is at the end of your arm."

If that isn't enough to convince you the Sheikh is rather strong-willed, try: "In the book of excellence, the first chapter is often titled `Determination'." Or even: "The future is uncertain only to those who are unwilling to shape it."

Rather po-faced stuff to be sure, but he is a serious man who is serious about his horses and very serious indeed about the Godolphin project he has cultivated from crank idea to the world's preeminent racing organisation. Today the Sheikh will be in Louisville to watch Godolphin's royal blue silks run for the roses in the Kentucky Derby on Express Tour. By then, Tobougg and Rumpold will have either won or lost the 2,000 Guineas at Newmarket. Tomorrow the Sheikh will be back there for the 1,000 Guineas and Muwakleh. It's a weekend which counts for a lot every year, but maybe even more so this time. And there's the pressure. The death during the week of Dubai Millennium was a commercial blow, but considering the World Cup winner had a £100,000 sterling covering fee, there was a lot more than money invested in what Frankie Dettori describes as the best he has ridden.

But Godolphin are also coming off their most under-whelming year yet, with just three Group One victories scored in Britain. That may be a super score for most, but not for a multi-million pound organisation which has collected 65 Group One races since it started in 1994.

"Dubai Millennium was the leader of our operation," Dettori says. "His death has knocked everyone for six. It would be great to win to cheer everybody up a bit." But it could be that the core nature of Godolphin, basing themselves in Dubai for the winter, will really pay off when it matters most. While the likes of Golan and Minardi have been perished in northwest Europe, Tobougg, Rumpold and Divine Task have been sunning themselves in the Emirate, and that counts for even more than usual this time.

"Godolphin must be at an advantage, especially after such a wet and cold winter here," says Curragh trainer Dermot Weld, who has already seen his own winter trek to Dubai pay off.

"I've no doubt Lethal Agenda won a Stakes race up the Curragh recently through wintering in Dubai. Nobody can quantify it because every horse is an individual, but it's a whole lot of conditioning factors coming together.

"For instance, it's much more stressful for a horse galloping on very soft ground here compared to Dubai which has the ideal climate, and as a result there is less stress for the horse in getting fit. I know that my horses came back having been well conditioned," says Weld.

It's a pattern that has allowed Godolphin to pick up nine British classics in its seven-year existence, even if the classic focus has shifted recently to trying to pick up the Kentucky Derby. It's been three years since the 2,000 Guineas has been won, but Frankie Dettori's presence at Newmarket today looks significant.

Kentucky may be the dream, but it looks like Godolphin are making sure to keep the home fires burning too, and in the double Group One winning two-year-old Tobougg, Dettori looks to have a formidable mount. Even so, the charismatic rider insists there is little, if nothing, between Tobougg and Rumpold.

It's a strength in depth that could herald Godolphin's return to dominance and presents an intriguing quandary for punters. Bravery should be the key world, however, because, as Sheikh Mohammed says: "You have to take sides. The middle of the road is a dangerous place."