LEXINGTON, Ky.-- Godolphin, one of the world's most powerful thoroughbred racing stables, had its contingent of horses for the Kentucky Derby arrive in the United States late Tuesday. The charter flight from Dubai, in the United Arab Emirates, was delayed several hours in Ireland by mechanical problems before arriving in Lexington, Kentucky. The horses are required to complete two days of quarantine in Lexington, before being shipped to Churchill Downs. Eric Coatrieux, a head man for Godolphin, is overseeing the horses.

Plans are to van the horses to Louisville on Thursday morning where Godolphin will set up headquarters in barn 45 at Churchill Downs. Trainer Tom Albertrani will fly in on Friday.

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid al Maktoum as well as racing manager Simon Crisford and chief trainer Saeed bin Suroor will be arriving in Louisville the middle of next week.

Chief Seattle, who earned $320,000 in United States graded stakes as a two-year-old, is in the Kentucky Derby starting field. China Visit, without any graded stakes earnings, has to hope the Derby field does not reach the maximum limit of 20 starters. An ironic occurrence, since most handicappers feel China Visit is Godolphin's strongest chance for the roses after impressive wins in the $500,000 UAE Derby in Dubai on March 25th and in a trial last Friday night at Nad al Sheba Racecourse.

The famous Godolphin solid royal blue racing silks were first seen at the Kentucky Derby in last year's running when Worldly Manner led the field turning for home before fading to seventh place.

Sheikh Maktoum bin Rashid al Maktoum ran a horse in the 1992 Kentucky Derby, Thyer, that finished 13th. Sheikh Mohammed, in partnership with Allen Paulson, started the 1992 Derby favorite, Arazi, who ran eighth.

The Godolphin Racing Stable was started by the Maktoum family in 1994 and last year won a record 45 group or graded stakes races around the world including 18 group or grade one events.