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| Staff Writer |
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In the pristine surroundings of Dubai's Blue Stables, an eleven-time Norwegian champion trainer is quietly orchestrating what could be one of racing's most intriguing international experiments. Niels Petersen, a very successful trainer in Norwegian racing, is embarking on a bold new chapter, becoming the first Scandinavian trainer to establish a permanent winter base in Dubai. With promising filly Queen Azteca already placing in the Shahama Stakes, the exciting unraced prospect War Socks, smart handicapper Chianti, and talented War Bear leading his team, Petersen's Dubai venture represents a significant milestone for Scandinavian racing.
"We've been coming to the Carnival over the years with mixed success with our horses, sometimes during less ideal times. I told my owners we needed to change our strategy if we wanted to continue," Petersen reflects thoughtfully.
Since obtaining his training licence in 1998, Petersen has dominated Scandinavian racing like no other, amassing an unprecedented collection of championships across the region. His remarkable tally of thirteen Norwegian trainers' championships stands as a testament to his mastery in his home country. Not content with domestic success, he expanded his influence across borders, claiming three Swedish championships and two Danish titles, firmly establishing himself as a pan-Scandinavian force. His exceptional ability to prepare horses for the biggest races is reflected in his sixteen Derby victories across Scandinavia, alongside multiple Scandinavian Championships. However, his mastery of Norway's premier race, the Oslo Cup, where he holds the record for most victories, truly sets him apart. His stable has consistently produced high-quality performers at Øvrevoll Racecourse, Norway's main racing venue, demonstrating an exceptional ability to develop talent in challenging climatic conditions.
The stark contrast between Petersen's Norwegian base and his new Dubai facilities tells its own story about the scale of this venture.
"It's a non-comparison," he states emphatically. "Everyone knows this is a fantastic establishment with excellent facilities, training, various tracks, and surfaces. Everything is designed for the horses, making it great for us trainers."
The reality back home in Oslo presents a very different picture. "We all train at the track with just one sand track – about 1300 metres round, small and undulated. That's all we have," Petersen reveals with characteristic frankness. "Many colleagues I've known over the years shake their heads asking, 'How do you manage to train the horses there?' But you work with what you have, and over the years, it's worked out fine."
This pragmatic approach has served him well, contributing to his remarkable success. Now, however, the expansive facilities at Blue Stables offer new possibilities. "Having different options is nice, of course. It gives you the freedom to do what you want," he adds with evident satisfaction.
The move represents more than just a change of scenery for Petersen. It's a calculated gamble to overcome one of the greatest challenges of Northern European racing - the harsh winter months that have historically hampered Scandinavian horses' performances at the Dubai World Cup Carnival.
"When we previously came to the Carnival in mid-December, we faced challenges as the Scandinavian weather gets very harsh and cold, with snow. The horses would grow their winter coats, shifting into a different mode and losing form," Petersen recounts, drawing from years of experience.
The timing of the move has proved crucial. "Coming here in December meant we had to turn this around, which takes time since horses are living animals that respond to temperature and climate changes, needing time to settle," he explains, detailing the physiological challenges. "This year's big difference is that instead of starting races just before Christmas, we've been here since November, giving us a completely different approach."
Petersen's approach to success in Dubai is refreshingly pragmatic. Rather than pursuing immediate glory in Scandinavia, he's deliberately kept some of his string fresh and bypassed domestic opportunities to maintain favourable handicap marks for Dubai.
"We've done everything in Scandinavia. We won everything many times. While I love to win any race, here it's not easy -- you have to plan ahead for success, and it's not even certain we'll make it, but we'll try. We create long-term plans for some horses, choosing to skip certain races to keep them fresh for here," he declares with quiet confidence.
The strategy involves precise timing and careful management. "Our better horses, we peaked them in early September, giving them proper rest before travelling out here. Of course, we sacrifice some easier opportunities. But then again, it's all about facing new challenges," he explains thoughtfully.
The contrast with regular racing operations is stark. "Weekend racing is straightforward – you enter a race, compete, win or place second, and return the next week. But here, there's a bigger picture. It requires extensive planning and logistics," Petersen reveals before adding with a wry smile, "The challenge hasn't just been with the horses. It's been quite a journey, honestly. We've faced many unexpected hurdles, and things we took for granted weren't always so, and vice versa. It's been eventful."
"You can't run them ten times during summer and expect to come here and run ten more times. That won't work. So, we're strategic with the horses we're targeting here," Petersen emphasises firmly.
One of the most intriguing examples of this strategy is War Socks, a US$125,000 (€115,000) Tattersalls yearling purchase who has been specifically kept unraced for a Dubai campaign. It's a bold move that exemplifies Petersen's willingness to think differently.
"They're very game owners. They have two horses with me. War Bear ran for the domestics the other day, and then War Socks is unexposed," Petersen explains before adding thoughtfully, "Of course, he’s a fast horse. There's a lot to like about him."
The immediate challenge is significant. "There are good horses there. Of course, I would have loved to go on a normal, simple maiden race," he admits candidly. "In the time you're here, the quality of the racing is very high; there's no easy approach to anything."
Despite the demanding first assignment, Petersen's long-term vision remains clear. "This is a learning curve, but War Socks a horse that we decided with the owners, we will give him time to mature, to come here," he explains. " I believe he has a big future, but on Friday, I think he's in the deep end, and he will come out of it as a stronger and better horse, and we'll be looking forward to the next time."
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Despite his extensive Carnival experience, establishing a permanent operation presents its own unique challenges. "I've been here many years for the Carnival, so we know what we're going to do," Petersen explains with the confidence of experience. "The biggest difference is, as I said before we came down, the horses are better acclimatised."
The initial transition period has been crucial. "There's always a period of coughing, some mucus, but all these things have settled now. They've all passed through it. They're thriving and moving forward. That's probably the biggest advantage of coming early," he reveals, highlighting the importance of proper acclimatisation.
Early runners have provided valuable insights. "We had our first run at Jebel Ali. It was a new experience, a new track, and interesting, and it gives us a feel for other horses that could potentially go there," Petersen notes. "It's a different kind of racing, of course. It's still a learning curve."
The signs are encouraging. "So far, I think the horses have been running fair. We haven't had many runners yet, but they're all performing well. They're all galloping over the line. They're not stopping or falling behind. They're all progressing, which is always a good sign," he observes with measured optimism. "They haven't maybe reached their full potential yet, but we're underway, and that's always a good sign. I guess any trainer would agree with me - as long as the horse is galloping over the line, there'll be improvement."
The weight of expectation from home sits lightly on Petersen's shoulders. "Scandinavia is like any other environment in the world. Some people look at you and think your horses aren't good enough. Some don't wish you the best - that's just the way it is," he reflects candidly. "Then there are people who think I'm in over my head. But I guess, in general, most of the Scandinavian Racing Society is following us."
The digital age has brought his Dubai adventure closer to home. "We have good websites back home to follow racing, and they're very good at providing race previews and post-race coverage. All information is available on these sites, the internet back home, and social media, keeping people up to date. Every race day, there will be a small preview written for our runners," he explains with evident appreciation for the support.
Yet the contrasts between racing in Dubai and Scandinavia are stark. " In The Middle East - we cannot keep up with the pace because it's exploding down here," Petersen observes thoughtfully. "Back home, it's not at the same level whatsoever. Many people follow racing, but there are few business-related things with horses in Scandinavia - it's not the same as anywhere else."
The lack of a viable secondary market remains a significant challenge. "In England, France, or here, you have a horse - whether Godolphin, my owner, or whoever - you have it for two years, and you think maybe it's time to move on, and there's a market for it. We don't have that in Scandinavia. They will become riding horses or something similar, meaning that for every horse bought into Scandinavia, most owners just look at it as money spent. They never look at resale value, and I think that's one of our biggest problems in Scandinavian racing - there's no potentially economically proven way out."
Despite these challenges, Petersen remains focused on the future. "I hope this can involve more people, and in the future, maybe more people will take the chance to come here, but it does cost money, and you can't come here being sure you're going to win money. Again, it's a learning curve," he says. "Maybe we could set the standard for how it could be done in the future. I hope it can be a continuous thing, and we will hopefully come again next winter. That's my plan."
The process of establishing the yard continues to evolve. "Changes can always come later. There's a learning process through it - you have to pick up some things, and you will probably look back and think, 'We should have done that,' or 'Why didn't we do this?'" he reflects. "We're going to learn along the way. With any new move you make, you have to adjust to it and learn from it. We're learning every day."
As the Dubai World Cup Carnival unfolds, Petersen's pioneering venture could well become a blueprint for other Northern European trainers looking to escape their harsh winters. With Queen Azteca showing early promise, War Socks ready to make his debut, and a string of carefully selected horses waiting in the wings, this Norwegian maestro's methodical approach might just reshape how Scandinavian racing approaches international competition. In a region where racing is evolving at breathtaking speed, Petersen's patient, pragmatic strategy could prove that success at the highest level isn't just about resources – it's about having the vision to think differently and the courage to see it through.