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| Staff Writer |
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Henk Grewe understands the calibre of Sisfahan, his 5YO entire by Isfahan and out of Kendalee.
A winner of the Group One German Derby in 2021, he would go on to show his ability with a seventh placing in the Group One Breeders’ Cup before winning a Group Two in Italy last October.
For Grewe, who comes from humble beginnings, as he told us, this horse meant a lot to him.
"I was born near the Netherlands in a small village.
"Then my parents were owners of racehorses, and that’s how I got the interest."
The Distance To Meydan
The German trainer now has Sisfahan nominated for the Dubai Sheema Classic and Group Two Gold Cup, although, as he said, plans were dependent on how he performed in Saudi.
Despite his confidence in his trip to Saudi Arabia, Grewe admitted that he was hopeful of the opportunity to race in Dubai. "We will decide after the race if he goes to Dubai or if we come back to Germany after the race in Saudi Arabia," Grewe said.
Although the plans were not solid, Grewe said that one of the two Dubai race options would suit Sisfahan more than the other.
"We don't want to go back into the distance."
"We want to stay on the long course, and he will go for the gold cup."
Although he sustained an injury last year, his trainer said he is coming back nicely.
"Yes, he was injured preparing for Saudi Arabia last year.
"But now he is good." He won Gr.2 in Milan, and now we try the longer distance, but I think that is good for him."
There are many reasons to go abroad.
The opportunity to send horses abroad to target races in Dubai and the Middle East was something that was of great interest to Grewe.
"It's very interesting for us because it's in the winter here and we don’t have many races here in Europe."
"Also, for sure, the prize money is good over there, making it very interesting for us."
The increase in distance was a query that the trainer did not see as being any worry for Sisfahan.
"I hope it is fine for him."
"We tried it on him, and he handled it perfectly." "I hope the races are the same, and I think it will be a good pace for him, and that should be really good for him."
Now owned by Darius Racing and Michael Motschmann, they purchased the horse while he was already a member of Grewe’s stable.
"It worked out well for us, and we sold him to them while he was at my stable for another owner."
There are no plans for any prep races between his two races, and the trip will be straightforward, as Grewe said.
"He will go directly to Dubai after he races in Saudi."
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Plans Ahead
After running in Saudi and the Gold Cup in Dubai, he will return to Europe with a plan already being put into place.
"I think afterwards we will give him a breakthrough this summer."
"After summer and into the fall, you have a lot of nice races here in Europe."
"But after Dubai and Saudi Arabia, we will give him a break for three to four months."
Looking ahead, he was confident of the potential in his stable after a few seasons that did not bear as much success as he would have hoped.
"Last season was not as good as the years before.
"But I think for this year we have a few nice 3YOs and 4YOs that can win some big races this year."
For now, the mission is simple, and for Grewe, the race he wants to win more than any other in the Middle East could be within weeks of being achieved.
"The Gold Cup for sure," he says with a laugh.
"The Gold Cup for sure this year."