Despite achieving a historic victory in the $12 million Dubai World Cup and a second UAE trainer’s title, Bhupat Seemar is determined to approach the new racing season in the same way he has in previous years.
Seemar and stable jockey Tadhg O’Shea teamed up to win the big prize on Dubai World Cup night at Meydan in March, with Laurel River representing the famous Juddmonte Farms.
They capped off an unforgettable season by winning the UAE trainer’s and jockey’s titles after Fall Of Rome’s victory at the season-ending meeting in Abu Dhabi on April 4.
“I still wake up and think the same way. Yes, it was very rewarding to win the Dubai World Cup,” Seemar told during an early morning training session. “That’s the stuff of dreams for many people, and very few achieve it. It’s great to be part of that elite group.”
After spending the summer in the UAE, Laurel River will be aimed at the $20 million Saudi Cup in February 2025 before he defends his Dubai title a month later. “He’s fabulous, he’s wonderful,” Seemar smiled.
Seemar is thankful to the owners for allowing Laurel River to stay with him for the new season. He is also getting two more horses from Juddmonte: Castlewarden, a four-year-old full brother to Laurel River, and Artorius, a five-year-old son of the 2017 Dubai World Cup winner Arrogate.
He paid tribute to his stable jockey O’Shea, who achieved the biggest win of their careers together before they shared the trainer’s and jockey’s championships. “Tadhg is a top-class jockey, and he cannot not be top class if he has won 12 UAE championships,” Seemar said about the Irishman.
“He is world-class. He knows this track. He knows UAE racing inside and out. He always puts in the effort, he always tries hard, and he has that desire to win. So, we make a great team.”
The beautiful Zabeel Stables in Dubai’s financial district has been sold for construction and development. Seemar and the team have moved to Meydan, but the trainer reflects on their old home with fond memories. “Zabeel was an incredible place. I love that place; it had so much history. It’s a beautiful location,” he said when asked about the stables moving after over thirty years of operation.
“We made many memories there. Now, it’s the next chapter. And how can you complain when you have the world’s biggest, most majestic racetrack to train on? So yeah, it’s wonderful, and it’s time to make some new memories.”
The summer provided a break from racing, but Seemar has still been busy attending horse sales overseas to buy new horses for his current owners and prospective new clients. “Summer is a break from racing in the UAE, but that’s when I travel around the world to source horses,” he explained.
The Zabeel trainer traveled twice to the US this summer, twice to the UK, once for Royal Ascot, and twice to Ireland. “I do this for the owners, both present and new, and I try to attract new clients who want to race in the UAE because we have one of the best products,” he stated.
Seemar has 110 horses in training, and that number could rise to 120, with a full capacity for 127. The season kicked off last week at Sharjah and goes into full swing this weekend with Al Ain hosting the first of three meetings on Friday, followed by Jebel Ali and Abu Dhabi on Saturday and Sunday. Meydan will host its first meeting on November 8.
