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| Staff Writer |
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The partnership between Marco and Lucie Botti has contributed significantly to the ongoing success of their racing endeavours. Lucie Botti is now carving her own path in the UAE. Her stable, boasting talents like Giavellotto, Royal Dubai, and Spirit Of Leros stands poised to leave an indelible mark on the region’s racing.
"It's a huge privilege to train in the UAE under my name," Lucie says, her voice brimming with excitement. "The excitement of this role, along with the achievement of having two winners in my first season from just three horses, truly highlights the dedication we put into our daily routines. It's about consistency and maintaining those high standards.”
This new chapter in her career is the culmination of years of hard work and dedication. Since founding Marco Botti Racing in 2005, Lucie has been an integral part of the operation, handling everything from riding and training to managing international runners and building client relationships. Lucie Botti’s brainchild, Prestige Place, stands as a remarkable testament to her vision and versatility in the world of horse racing. Designed and built under her guidance, Prestige Place reflects her commitment to innovation and excellence. This state-of-the-art facility is not only a highlight of her career but also showcases her diverse skill set, from business acumen to her deep understanding of the needs of a modern racing operation. It’s a symbol of her ambition to push boundaries and create something truly unique within the industry.
"I have fully dedicated myself to every aspect of my career" Lucie reflects. "So, be it riding, training, designing, and building our status, pre-nurturing strong client relationships, managing the international runners, or establishing the global brand. All those responsibilities have shaped my deep commitment to excellence."
Now, with the extension of the UAE racing season, Lucie has seized the opportunity to establish her own presence in Dubai. "We always had this international idea in the GCC," she explains. "Dubai has been very good to us, and it is now my home.”
The move allows Lucie to train horses hands-on through the UAE season, which conveniently ends just as the European and UK season begins. It's a strategic decision that maximises opportunities for both horses and owners.
Lucie's stable boasts some exciting prospects for the upcoming season, with Giavellotto leading the charge. The son of Mastercraftsman finished 3rd in Gr.1 Irish St. Leger on his last seasonal start, before targeting either the Dubai Gold Cup or the $6 million Dubai Sheema Classic.
"Giavellotto is a remarkable horse with tremendous scope and presence," Lucie says. "We believe that the Gold Cup distance might just slightly stretch him; we will be considering the Sheema Classic as an alternative."
Royal Dubai is another star to watch. After improving by 15 pounds over the Dubai season, he's now competing at the highest level. "He's been placed in two group races over the summer, which is just remarkable consistency," Lucie beams. "He has got a huge racing heart."
The plan for Royal Dubai is to prepare him for the Gr.2 Al Rashidiya Stakes on December 20 at Meydan. "This race will help us to decide whether to continue to run him on the turf or shift to the dirt," Lucie explains. "With the ultimate goal being the Dubai World Cup night, we will decide which route we take with him."
Managing stables in two countries is no small feat, but Lucie approaches the challenge with confidence. "Building a dedicated team in the UAE will ensure that those horses stay in Dubai over the summer, receive excellent care, and prepare for the next season," she explains.
For horses travelling to the UK, an equally capable team awaits. Lucie and Marco strategically divide responsibilities, ensuring both operations run smoothly. "We are very proud of our teams," Lucie says. "We couldn't do it without them."
The extension of the UAE season has been a game-changer for the Bottis. "It conveniently ends just as the European and UK season, not only racing, but the sales season also begins," Lucie points out. "We place some of the horses in the UK while also acquiring new ones at various sales, all the while actively looking for like-minded new clientele.”
Lucie's approach to training is constantly evolving, shaped by every horse she works with. "Every horse in our care is treated as an individual," she emphasises. "We tailor the methods to suit their unique needs because they really are like human beings. They all have their characters and tempers; they all have their needs."
A horse’s mental well-being is a key focus for Lucie. "We firmly believe that a happy horse is a successful horse," she says. This philosophy, combined with her extensive international experience, sets her apart in the competitive world of horse training.
"I have been very lucky and privileged to travel the world with horses, which has not only obviously broadened my perspective but also exposed me to a wide range of training techniques," Lucie reflects. "This global experience enables us to approach each horse with a different view and give them as many opportunities as possible to thrive successfully."
As with any trainer, Lucie has her sights set on the biggest prizes in racing. For her UAE-based horses, that means targeting Dubai World Cup night. "Competing at that level is an incredibly thrilling opportunity for everyone involved, especially our clients.’ We love it," she enthuses.
Among her hopefuls are two-year-olds Yuvraaj and Channagide, both likely to race on dirt with their US pedigrees. "It's still a dream but aiming for the UAE Derby preparation Al Bastakiya and the UAE Derby itself on the big night—that's what we strive for," Lucie reveals.
The stable also has other exciting prospects. "We have a two-year-old Spirit of Leros who is being primed for the Jumeira Stake on January 3," Lucie shares. “Sprinters, including Sommelier, who is likely to race on December 20 in the Dubai Dash Listed race, and the other horses will start either in the maidens or in the handicaps."
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Lucie's enthusiasm for the region's racing scene is palpable. "I'm really thrilled to see the continued expansion of racing in the UAE and in the GCC, in general," she says. "I'm confident that the sport will reach even greater heights with the extended racing season. The quality of horses and racing in the region is already impressive, and the substantial prize money on offer is attracting top-class runners from around the world."
The facilities in Dubai are a particular point of pride for Lucie. "There's no better place to train horses during the winter, and the climate and facilities are second to none," she states.
Looking to the future, Lucie has big ambitions. "We have big, long-term ambitions, as they say. While Rome wasn’t built in a day. Having lived in Dubai for several years, I understand the power of patience and determination, she says. "We're actively seeking to bring new owners on board to experience these exciting opportunities. With our international approach, we can connect with clients from all over the world, offering them a truly global and unique experience."
The Botti racing empire isn't content with just the UK and UAE. This winter, they're launching a team in Bahrain, with plans to consider other countries as part of their strategy.
"Expanding in the GCC countries is definitely the key part of our strategy," Lucie confirms. "Any suitable runner from Dubai will be considered for races in other countries, so long as it is beneficial to our owners. Our goal is definitely to build a high-quality horse stable that can compete across the various jurisdictions, ensuring that the clients get the most favourable racing opportunities."
Lucie is quick to acknowledge the support they've received in Dubai. "I would like to mention that, behind the scenes, there is the Emirates Racing Authority and the Meydan team. They play a crucial role because they are very professional. Their efforts ensure that the racing environment is world-class, and we are incredibly grateful because they do an excellent job of making our job easier."
While Lucie is taking the reins in Dubai, her partnership with Marco remains as strong as ever. "We offer a unique year-round experience for our clients," she explains. "We utilise two major racing hubs on the global scene: the GCC and Dubai, which are rapidly expanding with futures and the most lucrative prize money. The UK, on the other hand, has a racing heritage and an unmatched market that provides our clients with the best of the horse world."
This dual presence allows the Bottis to provide their clients with the best of both worlds. From their prestigious stable in Newmarket to their growing operation in Dubai, every aspect is managed with great care and expertise.
"What truly sets us apart is a personalised, hands-on approach," Lucie emphasises. "We ensure that every aspect of our operation, from our client relationships to training the racehorses, racing, and sales, is managed with great care and expertise."
The Bottis' commitment to excellence is evident in every aspect of their operation. "By dividing and sharing responsibilities as needed, we ensure comprehensive coverage to maximise our business advantages, allowing and maintaining the high standard of professional personal attention and operational efficiency," Lucie explains.
As Lucie prepares for her second full season under her own license in the UAE, the excitement is palpable. With a mix of established stars and promising youngsters in her stable, she's poised to make a significant impact on the region’s racing scene.
From Giavellotto's tilt at Dubai World Cup night glory to the development of her two-year-old prospects, Lucie Botti is a trainer to watch in the coming months. Her unique blend of international experience, personalised approach, and unwavering dedication to her horses makes her a formidable force in the world of global racing.
"We're going to keep dreaming, as they progress towards the Super Saturday or even the Dubai World Cup night," Lucie says with infectious enthusiasm. "So, you know, there's obviously lots of work behind it, but there's lots of dreams to come true too."
As she embarks on this new chapter of her career, Lucie Botti is creating racing history. With the sands of Meydan beneath her feet and the world-class facilities of Newmarket at her disposal, the future looks bright for this ambitious trainer and her equine stars.
"We are excited to welcome all new owners to join us in this thrilling adventure together, while continuing to take great personal care of our valuable existing clients," Lucie concludes.