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| Staff Writer |
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Bhupat Seemar is a man on a mission. The UAE champion trainer, fresh from a second in the last season and a Dubai World Cup triumph, is plotting a bold assault on the US$20 million Saudi Cup with his stable star Laurel River.
Speaking via telephone from his new base at Meydan's Zabeel Stables complex, Seemar outlined his plans for the Juddmonte-owned five-year-old. "Laurel River will hopefully get a prep run, and then the Saudi Cup, and then the Dubai World Cup," he said. "We'll just let him tell us when he's getting ready. And closer to it, I'll speak to the connection that is Juddmonte, and we'll decide which one we're going to go for – two runs before the Saudi Cup or one run. We're not sure yet."
The timeline is tight, with the Saudi Cup scheduled for February and the Dubai World Cup following in early April. But Seemar is no stranger to navigating high-pressure campaigns. His patient, horse-centric approach has already yielded impressive results, including Group One victories with Switzerland and Tuz in the Dubai Golden Shaheen after their Saudi runs.
Seemar's rise to the top of UAE racing has been meteoric. Since taking the reins at Zabeel Stables in 2021, he has quickly established himself as a force to be reckoned with. With the move to Meydan, he's poised to take his operation to new heights.
"It's going to be a wonderful facility," Seemar said of the new Zabeel Stables. "We have a large number of horses and this is the most suitable stable. I'm thankful that DRC has offered this to us."
The relocation is not without its challenges. "We haven't fully moved into the new stables yet because there's a lot of construction going on here," Seemar admitted. "But once it's all ready, it's going to be nice. It's a new challenge, and we're looking forward to it."
Seemar's voice carried a hint of nostalgia mixed with excitement for the future while reflecting on the move. "To leave Zabeel with a Dubai World Cup as well as both the Trainers' and Jockeys' championship, was the crowning glory. It was a good send-off, and it was beautiful. I have spent 21 memorable years [there] but life has to move on and make new memories."
The relocation comes at a pivotal moment for Zabeel Stables. Seemar's recent success has attracted international attention, and he's been busy sourcing new talent. At the Fasig-Tipton Mid-Atlantic Sale in Maryland, he secured 11 horses for various clients, a significant investment in the future of his operation.
"The Fasig-Tipton Mid-Atlantic Sale has been very lucky for us," Seemar explained. "It's the only breeze-up sale in America on dirt. So, what you see is what you get. When you buy a horse from there, you bring it over; then you're racing and training again on the dirt surface. The transition is very easy and very good."
This strategy has already paid off handsomely. "Last year, we bought two horses. They both won first time out, and one of them won the Guineas. That was a great result for everyone involved," Seemar recalled.
One of these success stories is Mendelssohn Bay, who clinched the UAE Two Thousand Guineas (Group Three) in January. "Mendelssohn Bay looks like he's turning out to be a nice three-year-old. He's doing everything right. He looks like he's matured a little and got stronger."
The trainer's recent purchases at the Fasig-Tipton Midlantic 2-Year-Olds in Training Sale include a Medaglia d'Oro colt for US$325,000 and a Lord Nelson colt for US$250,000, signalling his intent to continue building a world-class stable.
Seemar's approach to selecting horses at the sale is meticulous. "When you buy these kinds of horses, the dream for every owner and the trainer and the jockeys is to try and win the good three-year-old classic races, which includes the 2000 Guineas, The Al Bastakiya, the UAE Derby, and The UAE triple crown," he explained. This focus on potential classic contenders underlines Seemar's long-term vision for his stable.
Seemar's ambitions extend far beyond the Middle East. He's keenly aware of the opportunity presented by the UAE Derby, which offers a path to the Kentucky Derby. "In the UAE Derby in Dubai, we have the point system that qualifies us to the Kentucky Derby," he noted. "This is why we have all these Japanese horses coming over to compete with us."
The trainer cited the example of Forever Young, last year's UAE Derby winner, whose form held up impressively in the Kentucky Derby. "He should have almost won there," Seemar remarked, highlighting the quality of horses emerging from this pathway via the UAE Derby. " The Japanese have developed one of the best breeding operations, plus, they run against the best three-year-olds in Japan, and then they bring the best to the UAE to run in the Derby."
This international perspective is shaping Seemar's approach to sourcing and developing talent. The trainer's philosophy is one of constant evolution. He asserted, "To improve, you always have to evolve. You got to be dynamic."
This mindset has led him to expand his horizons, with multiple trips to America, the UK, and Ireland in recent months. "My life is changing in the sense that I made two trips to America this year, two trips to UK and two trips to Ireland, all within three months to source horses and bring new clientele to Dubai Racing," Seemar shared.
“We've got to be ambassadors to our sport from UAE," he stated.
This ambassadorial role is crucial in Seemar's eyes. "We've got some of the best racing in the world. We've got the biggest racetrack in the world, and we've got five different racetracks here in the UAE for the owner to enjoy their horses racing because we have one of the best products in racing," he said proudly.
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As the new UAE season approaches, Seemar's stable is preparing for action. While he's characteristically tight-lipped about specific horses, his excitement is palpable. "I've got a nice bunch of horses, and I've had some great support from my owners and some new clients in the stables, and very good support from the Dubai Racing Club," he said.
The immediate focus may be on Laurel River, and the Saudi Cup, but Seemar's vision extends far beyond. With a new state-of-the-art facility, a string of promising horses, and an unwavering commitment to evolution, Bhupat Seemar and Zabeel Stables are poised to make an even bigger impact on the global racing stage.
Seemar's approach to the upcoming season is a blend of ambition and caution. "We haven't done any gallops with any of our horses," he revealed. "We don't try and chase any racing days, because that's making mistakes. We let the horses tell us when they are ready, and then we start making plans for their upcoming racing engagements.”
This patient approach extends to his handling of young horses. When asked about potential stars for the upcoming classics, Seemar remained characteristically reserved. "I don't like to name my horses," he said, preferring to let their performances on the track do the talking.
Seemar's success is built on a foundation of traditional horsemanship combined with a willingness to embrace new ideas. This balance is evident in his approach to training and his efforts to promote UAE racing on the global stage in his own humble capacity.
As the interview drew to a close, Seemar's enthusiasm for the future was unmistakable. The move to Meydan, the success of Laurel River and Tuz, and the promising crop of young horses all point to an exciting season ahead. But for Seemar, his enthusiasm is about more than just winning races. It’s about doing the best for his horses, clients and Dubai Racing.