Godolphin’s 3yo team hasn’t hit the headlines in North America this year but there’s plenty of firepower in reserve to ensure they finish with a flourish in 2009.

Sheikh Mohammed strengthened his hand for the end-of-year features when Midshipman and Regal Ransom bounced back with morale-boosting victories on Friday and Saturday.

Midshipman (Unbridled’s Song) made his return from an 11-month enforced spell with a three length allowance win at Belmont Park on Friday.  Last year’s Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (G1) winner had missed the Triple Crown classics due to a leg injury but was never in danger at his first run on dirt.  “He couldn’t have come back any better,” jockey Richard Migliore said.  “He took the lead easily but then wandered about in the lane.  Obviously, he handled the dirt pretty well.”

Sheikh Mohammed acquired Midshipman when he purchased Stonerside Stable in September 2008.  The Breeders’ Cup Juvenile winner was part of a 250-head deal that included horses in training, broodmares, yearlings, and foals.

Midshipman is a son of former Arrowfield shuttler Unbridled’s Song and his dam Fleet Lady was a G2 winner of the La Canada and El Encino Stakes.

On Saturday, Godolphin colt Regal Ransom won the G2 Super Derby at Louisiana Downs at his first start since the Kentucky Derby.  Richard Migliore dictated terms on the Distorted Humor colt and they cleared out to a four length lead in the straight before coasting home to a one length win.

Regal Ransom was a G2 winner of the UAE Derby in March before finishing a respectable eighth at Churchill Downs.  Bred in Kentucky by Diamond A Racing, Regal Ransom was a $675,000 buy at the 2008 Fasig-Tipton Calder 2yo Sale and has now accrued over $1.74 million.

He’s the first stakes winner out of the Red Ransom mare Kelli’s Ransom and is an older half-brother to recent Saratoga winning filly Devil May Care (Malibu Moon).