Godolphin has appointed experienced bloodstock figure Vin Cox as managing director of its thoroughbred interests in Australia.

Cox will fill the role left vacant when Henry Plumptre resigned in July after 16 years with Sheikh Mohammed's racing and breeding empire.

Plumptre quit during a stewards' inquiry into the circumstances of a Godolphin horse contracting the highly contagious strangles disease.

Stewards found the case was not reported to officials in the time frame required under the Australia rules of racing.

Plumptre was fined $15,000 and former Godolphin trainer John O'Shea was hit with a $30,000 penalty.

Cox will join Godolphin after six years at the helm of Magic Millions, the auction firm owned by Gerry Harvey and his wife Katie Page.

He will take over at Godolphin after the Magic Millions yearling sales early next year.

"(Vin) brings with him a wealth of international industry experience and joins us at an exciting time for our Australian operation," Godolphin's group chief executive Joe Osborne said.

Cox said the Godolphin post would provide a perfect mix because it was all-encompassing.

"This role brings together my passions of thoroughbred breeding and racing and it is a great opportunity to combine them within a world-class operation like Godolphin," he said.