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| Staff Writer |
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In a landmark achievement that underscores the rising prominence of Middle East racing, Laurel River has been named co-winner of the 2024 Longines World's Best Racehorse award alongside City Of Troy. This historic recognition marks the first time a Dubai-trained horse has received this prestigious global accolade, cementing the emirate's position in international racing.
The victory carries profound significance for Juddmonte Farms, as Laurel River represents one of the final breeding decisions made by the late Prince Khalid bin Abdullah. The strategic mating of Calm Water, a Kentucky-bred daughter of Empire Maker, with champion stallion Into Mischief has produced Juddmonte's fourth homebred World's Best Racehorse winner, following the illustrious hoofprints of dual winner Frankel (2011-12), Arrogate (2016-17), and Enable (2019).
"The most important thing about this horse is it is one of the last homebred horses that Prince Khalid decided the matings," Juddmonte CEO Douglas Erskine Crum remarked while accepting the award. "He is particularly important for us."
After beginning his career in California with trainer Bob Baffert, where he claimed victory in the Gr.2 Pat O'Brien Stakes at Del Mar, Laurel River's journey took an unexpected turn. Following a scratch from the Gr.1 Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile at Keeneland, the horse experienced a year-long absence from the track throughout 2023. His career found new life when joining trainer Bhupat Seemar in Dubai.
"We felt that he should go to the desert," Erskine Crum explained. "There is a great pull for the late Prince Khalid's family in Dubai and in Riyadh (Saudi Arabia)."
The decision proved inspired as Laurel River stormed to victory in the Gr.3 Burj Nahaar at Meydan, dominating by 6 3/4 lengths. He then delivered a spectacular performance in the US$12 million Dubai World Cup, defeating Ushba Tesoro and Senor Buscador by an impressive 8 1/2 lengths in his first attempt beyond a mile.
Seemar's charge, now preparing for his 7YO campaign, is targeting the Gr.3 Firebreak Stakes at Meydan before attempting the US$20 million Saudi Cup. His connections are optimistic about his continued success, with Seemar particularly effusive about his charge's abilities.
"Laurel River has been an absolute sensation since he came to the stables," Seemar declared. "He's kept on improving. To have the best in any sport is incredible, and I'm lucky enough to be the trainer of him."
The trainer elaborated on his star's versatility: "He's one of those super-athlete racehorses that has a lot of speed and then the stamina kicks in. He goes forward and he's got speed for a six-furlong sprinter—a grade 1 sprinter. And he's got stamina for a mile-and-a-quarter grade 1 horse."
The exceptional 128 rating awarded by the Longines World's Best Racehorse Rankings Committee remained unchallenged throughout the year, despite Laurel River not racing after his Dubai World Cup triumph. Rather than embarking on a global campaign, connections opted to keep him in the Middle East, where the world's richest races await in his adopted home.
"This shows the depth of Dubai racing," Seemar concluded. "We are getting some of the best racehorses in the world to come and compete."