ReynaldoTheWizard:All For An Apple
Quite literally one of the most popular horses in the UAE, 12 year old ReynaldoTheWizard is all set to reappear this Thursday in the Gr.3 Al Shindagha Sprint. He has also been nominated for the Gr.1 Dubai Golden Shaheen on the Dubai World Cup card later this season.
“He’s an absolute legend in the yard and within the local racing community” Says his jockey Richard Mullen, “He may be 12 but nobody has told him and he’s full of himself at home.”
Now a 12-year-old and quite possibly in his final season, the Satish Seemar-trained Reynaldothewizard has raced only 28 times in his career. He once again is training and competing well, defying convention and all possible odds. ReynaldoTheWizard began his career in USA, racing six times for trainer EoinHarty, winning on debut in July 2008 at Churchill Downs and placing in the Gr.2 Saratoga Special in his second start. Notably, he has won the Gr. 3 Dubawi three times (2015-17) before finishing a third in 2018.
In 2017, he brought the house to frenzy when he won the Gr.3 Dubawi Stakes for the third consecutive year in 2017 at the age of 11.
“He holds a lot of importance to me,” Seemar said. “ When you have a horse racing at his age, he knows the drill and does it at his own pace. We are looking after his health, not forcing him to run and he is happy every day. You can have a 12-year-old race, but not running up to the top international level and that’s very unique. He’ll be special to me forever and has given me many great memories. We’re looking forward to racing again on Thursday.”
“He’s kind of a pro.” continues Seemar “He is intelligent and knows how to take care of himself. For example, I have my office on the side and I walk through the yard where he can see me. Sometimes I try to avoid eye-contact with him, but when I do that, he knows I am trying to avoid him. He will nicker at me because he wants his apple. He doesn’t want me, he wants his apple.”
ReynaldoTheWizard is half-brother to multi-G1 winner Seventh Street. He goes up against Doug Watson trained MyCatch (IRE) and Godolphin owned Comicas in the Gr. 3 Al Shindagha Sprint.
By Ritesh Jamkhedkar - ritesh.jamkhedkar@secretariatsworld.com