Godolphin Soil Carbon Project

Godolphin Soil Carbon Project is a multi-site soil carbon sequestration project located across three of Australia’s most prestigious thoroughbred breeding properties in New South Wales and Victoria. Registered in August 2025, the project covers approximately 2,136 hectares and is aggregated across Godolphin’s major Australian studs: Kelvinside (near Scone/Aberdeen, NSW), Woodlands (near Denman, NSW), and Northwood Park (near Seymour, Victoria).

These regions are renowned as the centers of the Australian equine industry, characterized by fertile river flats, undulating pastures, and high-quality clay-loam soils. The NSW sites in the Upper Hunter Valley typically experience moderate rainfall (approx. 600-700mm) and are situated along the Hunter River catchment, while the Victorian site at Northwood Park sits on the banks of the Goulburn River in a temperate zone. The land use is intensive grazing and fodder production specifically managed for elite thoroughbred horses.

The project operates under the 2021 Soil Carbon methodology (Estimation of Soil Organic Carbon Sequestration using Measurement and Models). This method requires the proponent to implement new management activities, in this case, altering stocking rates and grazing intensity, to increase soil organic carbon levels. By optimizing pasture cover and soil health, the project aims to sequester carbon dioxide from the atmosphere into the soil profile.

A unique aspect of this project is the high profile of the proponent, Godolphin Australia Pty Ltd, the global thoroughbred breeding and racing operation founded by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum. This project signals a significant integration of elite sports management with regenerative agriculture. The project is supported by Carbon Link, a leading Australian soil carbon aggregator, ensuring scientific rigor in the baseline measurement and modeling required to generate Australian Carbon Credit Units (ACCUs).