Pia Brandt: Touching The Skies One Tree At A Time
France-based the world's 136th ranked trainer, Pia Brandt is no stranger to the Dubai World Cup, having witnessed Cigar win that first Dubai World Cup race at the erstwhile And Al Sheba racecourse. Today she is one of the givens on the Dubai World Cup Carnival list having started his journey in 2012. She celebrated her first Dubai win when L’Amour de Ma Vie claimed the Group 2 Balanchine Stakes at Meydan in 2014.
Her exciting pupil Silva put the rest of the field to shade under the glistening lights of the Meydan Racecourse, clinching the UAE 1000 Guineas, the first Classic of the 2019 season. Later she saddled multi-Group winning Called To The Bar in the Gold Cup. The Henrythenavigator colt out of the Kingambo line is also entered in the Saudi Cup and is expected to contest the Dubai Gold Cup on the Dubai World Cup undercard.
Her other charge, Group One-winning Mkfancy by Mkafi out of the Dubawi line is being aimed at the UAE Derby although she intends to race him once again in France before shipping him to Dubai.
Her Haras Du Quesnay-bred Tour To France was disappointing in his UAE debut where he landed fifth behind Satish Seemar trained-Gladiator King.
The son of Dubai World Cup-winning, Curlin gave the master of Zabeel Stables an unprecedented sixth win in the race, which was inaugurated in 2011.
Tour To Paris ran a brilliant race. I knew he likes to dominate but he was not able to do so. He will grow stronger from this experience.”
“He was sharp after the race and has already recovered the weight he lost.”
“He will be aimed by the Gr.2 Al Fahidi Fort, the seven furlongs race next”
The experienced conditioner feels her charge will benefit from the change of distance from 1200m to 1400m.
Brandt enjoys her short sojourn away from her French stables during the Dubai World Cup Carnival, coming back refreshed and rejuvenated.
“It is a nice break away in Dubai although I am still racing. Dubai brings excitement and its a nice time to watch international horses race as well to talk to other trainers from around the world and hear about their techniques.”
Her 2019 win at Royal Ascot win is close to her heart. She hopes to win a classic in England or France.
“I dream of winning a Group race at Royal Ascot”
When you try to reach the skies, you reach the tree-tops.