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| Staff Writer |
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The Master of Zabeel Stables recently celebrated his unparalleled success on Dubai World Cup night, and he further exacerbated the celebration by winning his second UAE Trainer's Championship in less than a week after achieving his inaugural Dubai World Cup triumph. Juddmonte-owned Laurel River, ridden by trusted stable jockey Tadhg O'Shea, won by a remarkable eight lengths, fulfilling lifelong aspirations of winning a Dubai World Cup race, for both Seemar and O'Shea.
They also secured a second victory that night by winning the Gr.1 Dubai Golden Shaheen with the highly rated 7YO gelding, Tuz.
Seemar's World Cup night successes drew him level with Jebel Ali Stables’ Michael Costa in the trainer’s championship race, each boasting 36 wins. However, in a dramatic showdown between Seemar and Costa the former’s horse Fall Of Rome took him to 37 wins which secured the championship title.
"It's been a season that started with serious lows when I found that my biggest owners are dispersing," said Seemar in an interview with another magazine.
"Al Rashid Stables had 26 horses with me, and they were my best horses. I couldn't sleep at night, thinking my career was over. I am thankful to many owners who stuck by me and believed in me. We bought most of the horses back that we wanted to keep. The rest is history."
In my second season as a trainer, maybe we took the season for granted and in hindsight could have tried a bit harder to secure the championship. As Zabeel Stables finished a close second. But regardless of that, in all 3 years as a trainer, we have finished in front in prize money.
Seemar’s name has become synonymous with a stunning victory on World Cup night. He still finds himself basking in the afterglow of a truly remarkable night. "It's been a remarkable year," he admits, a touch of nostalgia in his voice. "Dubai World Cup was an amazing night, it still sinking in". The scale of the victory is evident – not just one, but two World Cup trophies now adorn his office, each secured with a dominant performance by his charges.
While the celebrations continue, the focus inevitably shifts to the future, particularly for Laurel River, the horse who stole the show at Meydan. Seemar has previously hinted at the Saudi Cup as the next challenge for the champion. However, a note of caution is evident.
"We are yet to discuss the next steps with the owners," he explains. The Saudi Cup may be a good fit, but the final decision hinges on a collaborative effort with Laurel River's owners, Juddmonte Farms.
With a winning time of 2:02.31 over 2,000 meters, Laurel River's victory at Meydan was among the fastest in World Cup history. Bred by Juddmonte Farms, Laurel River had previous success in America, including a notable win at Del Mar's Bing Crosby.
Under Seemar's training, Laurel River overcame initial stamina concerns, with jockey Tadhg O’Shea guiding him to previous victories. Despite missing the 2022 Breeders' Cup, Laurel River excelled in Dubai, winning the Gr.2 Burj Nahaar at Meydan which gave him the necessary push to claim a berth in the Group One spectacle and now is the highest rated horse in the world.
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The partnership between Bhupat and Juddmonte itself is a story waiting to be told. A chance email from Juddmonte's CEO, Douglas Crum, marked the beginning of this fruitful collaboration. "One day I received an email from Mr. Douglas Crum about training a horse," Seemar recalls.
That horse, of course, was Laurel River, and their subsequent triumph together cemented a partnership brimming with possibilities.
While no official word exists yet, Bhupat expresses a cautious optimism. "Hopefully they will send us a few more," he says, hinting at the possibility of Juddmonte entrusting him with additional horses in the coming seasons.
The conversation then turns to Tuz, Bhupat's other star performer. Just like Laurel River, the 7YO son of Oxbow is enjoying a well-deserved rest and recuperation phase.
Bhupat readily acknowledges a slight misstep in Saudi Arabia. "He didn't like the track," he explains, offering a simple explanation for Tuz's less-than-stellar performance during the Saudi Cup meeting.
However, any disappointment is quickly overshadowed by Bhupat's evident pride in Tuz's overall progress. "I'm very pleased," he beams. Tuz's consistent podium finishes throughout the UAE season speak volumes about his talent, and his future appears bright.
Looking beyond his current superstars, Bhupat offers a tantalizing glimpse into his plans for the upcoming season. "We had a few that did well this season, we will have a few new contenders next season," he reveals.
The astute trainer recognizes the cyclical nature of racing – established champions pave the way for the next generation. His intention to "buy horses from all over the world for the next sale" further underscores his commitment to building a competitive stable year after year.
When elaborating on his talent acquisition strategy, he stresses the importance of cultivating a varied portfolio.
"I'm going to the UK for the Tattersalls Craven sale, and upon my return I will head to France for the Arqana sale. From there, I plan to attend the Maryland sale in America and then fly to Ireland for their sale. And finally, I plan to go back to the UK for Royal Ascot."
This encompasses a direct involvement in selecting promising young prospects that resonate with the stable's future objectives while also contemplating the possibility of involving trusted agents to acquire more experienced horses.
"If you want to stay ahead of this game and keep your head above the water, you've got to keep doing it year after year," Seemar promotes.
When asked about the type of horses he buys, the renowned trainer accentuates the need for a diverse range, stating, "We need a big mixed bunch of horses."