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| Staff Writer |
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Excitement builds as American star gears up for prestigious Gr.1 Golden Shaheen
A tour bus pulled into Harrow Yard at Meydan shortly after 7am Wednesday morning, disgorging not ordinary tourists but enthusiastic members of the MyRacehorse micro-share syndicate. Lining the rail with phones and iPads at the ready, they watched eagerly as American champion sprinter Straight No Chaser turned in an energetic gallop just days before his appearance in the Gr.1 Dubai Golden Shaheen.
The 6YO speedster, preparing for Saturday's big race, is attempting to make history as the first horse to complete the unofficial Sprint Triple Crown by adding the Golden Shaheen to his previous victories in the Gr.1 Breeders' Cup Sprint and the Gr.2 Riyadh Dirt Sprint.
"Straight No Chaser is the one that brought us here and as everyone knows, he's just an awesome horse," said enthusiastic shareholder Will Diaz. "I am loving it here. It's been great and I can't wait for Saturday to come. Boy, he's amazing, such a tough horse."
The gathering of approximately 50 shareholders, each beaming with pride, later welcomed trainer Dan Blacker who appeared to exchange pleasantries with the group.
Diaz, clearly moved by the experience, added: "I couldn't possibly be more excited. I've been very lucky, I was also involved with MyRacehorse's Gr.1 Preakness Stakes winner Seize The Grey, but this experience is just so great."
Blacker has been transparent about his international ambitions. "At the end of the day, this is what I am trying to do--to take horses and race them internationally in places like Saudi and Dubai," he explained.
"It's been very satisfying to be able to do this for MyRacehorse, to be able to give them these sorts of experiences, and hopefully Straight No Chaser will run another big race this weekend."