Satish Seemar trained-
North America was revelation at the 2017 Dubai World Cup Carnival. Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov owned Dubawi gelding emerged a serious threat to the horses that currently head the Gr.1 Dubai World Cup market when he foiled old foe
Thunder Snow after an impressive front-running tactic in the Gr.1
Al Maktoum Challenge Round 3 on Super Saturday night.
Seemar’s plans for North America were foiled by unexpected bad weather last year. Looking back Seemar says, “North America wasn’t tired, he just didn’t like the muddy, sloppy track. Heavy rain on Dubai World Cup Day badly affected the conditions of the track.”
North America is a six year old son of Dubawi who began his career in the UK before being transferred to the UAE in 2016.He won his first four starts at Meydan over a mile, including the Gr. 3
Firebreak Stakes. In fact Seemar’s favourite racing moment with North America was when he claimed the fire break. “He was very impressive with his three wins before that winning by an average of 7-8 lengths each time so we were not surprised when he crossed the line in front again in the Gr3 Firebreak Stakes.” Says trainer Satish Seemar.
Seemar purchased him for a client at the Racing in DubaiSale. “He was always a very impressive and imposing looking horse but he has strengthened and grown again in the year that we have had him.” Said Seemar of the bay gelding. “For such a big, strong horse he is a true professional. Like any racehorse, he likes to go to the races and enjoys the atmosphere of the crowds. The amazing part of having him in training is that his work rider Abdul Sattar, is a very fragile, small looking person with great hands who goes to prove that strength doesn’t always work on these powerful athletes.” Continued Seemar, with pride for his pupil shining through.
Another charge who is expected to make his appearance on World Cup day is quite literally one of the most popular horses in the UAE. 12 year old ReynaldoTheWizard is all set to prove his mettle in the Gr.1 Dubai Golden Shaheen on the Dubai World Cup card.
“He’s an absolute legend in the yard and within the local racing community” Says his regular jockey Richard Mullen, “He may be 12 but nobody has told him and he’s full of himself at home.”
Reynaldothewizard has raced only 28 times in his career and this race maybe his final start. The wizard gave a good account of himself in Gr.3 Al Shindagha Sprint, placing third to My Catch. He is training well, defying convention and all possible odds.
ReynaldoTheWizard began his career in USA, racing six times for trainer Eoin Harty, 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.
“He’s kind of a pro.” says 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.”
The son of Dubai World Cup winner Street Cry
Yulong Warrior destroyed his 12 rivals to hack home in the Al Bastakiya (L) over 1,900 meters on dirt. Ridden with confidence by Richard Mullen, Seemar confirmed post-race that the US$460,000 Goffs London purchase would point to the US$250,000 UAE Derby Seemar’s Zabeel Stables will also be represented by
Secret Ambition and Raven’s Corner in the Godolphin Mile. Nasir Askar owned son of Exceed And Excel also has excellent pedigree on the distaff side (Inner Secret by Singspiel). Secret Ambition recently placed second to
Kimbear in the Gr.3 Burj Nahaar on Super Saturday night. “This horse is very good here at Meydan,” Seemar said. “The only time he ran badly here there was an excuse. He is a great horse to have in the yard.”
Mullen added: “He is a really consistent, tough horse. He always tries his best and has plenty of speed”
Another Racing in Dubai Sale purchase Raven’s Corner was purchased as a 3-y-o chestnut colt in early September 2016 for AED 135,000aed (c. US$ 36,000) in partnership with Sean Ewing. He joined his half-brother Speedy Move, a winner at Jebel Ali for Touch Gold Racing, at Zabeel Stables, where he is trained by Satish Seemar. Notably he was first across the wire in the District One 300 Villas Dash Handicap defeating the readily fancied Kimbear.
Seemar is widely travelled and has studied horses under many greats including Monty Roberts. “
Monty Roberts, who taught me horsemanship, is my guru.” Says Seemar “Till this day we are still in touch. Any questions I may have about a horse I’m confused about, all I have to do is call and discuss it with him. I try to visit and spend time with him once a year. After I finished my Equine Science studies in California, I was fortunate enough to work with Taylor Made farms in Lexington, Kentucky. I consider the Taylor family one of the top business families in the racing and breeding profession. I owe a lot to them for teaching me the business side of my profession. Due to these top two organisations (Monty Roberts and Taylor Made farms) I was lucky enough to be offered the job by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum to take over Zabeel Stables where I have now resided for the last 27 years.”
When asked about his fondest memory, “The charming thing about Dubai is that there is not just one fondest memory. If you ask me, in my business the memories are amazing. (I have seen) The introduction of International racing, the Dubai World Cup, the amazing construction of Meydan Racecourse. Along with this, we horsemen based here in Dubai get to see the world’s top racehorses coming here to compete with the horses that we are involved with.” muses Satish.
Talking about his family with an indulgent smile, “I am divorced with a 15 (going on 25!) year old daughter called Tara who goes to boarding school in the UK.”
SW wishes Satish Seemar all the very best for the Dubai World Cup 2018.