Born and raised in Dubai, Saeed Bin Suroor is Godolphin’s longest-serving trainer, overseeing the training of horses since 1995.
The Newmarket handler saddles, Winter Lightning, who is a half-sister to Thunder Snow, in a bid to win tonight’s feature dirt race, the Gr3 UAE Oaks, to follow up an impressive victory in the Listed UAE 1,000 Guineas. Her run this evening will determine whether she is indeed a filly for the Classics.
Godolphin’s Red Galileo, Natural Scenery and Rare Rhythm go for glory in the leading contest for stayers during the 14-furlong G3 Nad Al Sheba Trophy, on turf at Meydan tonight as well. The field of 11 for the Nad Al Sheba Trophy includes multiple G1 winnerVazirabad and Prince Of Arran, who edged out Red Galileo when scoring at Meydan on 15 February.
His charge, Natural Scenery is an improving filly, who ran really well in two of the UK’s top staying handicaps last season, finishing second in the Northumberland Plate and third in the Ebor.
His other charge Benbatlcame into Dubai from a break after a good European season that included winning the G3 Hampton Court Stakes at Royal Ascot and running well in the G1 Epsom Derby. Since then he has won the over nine furlongs Gr.3 Singspiel Stakes and Gr.2 Al Rashidiya Stakes. Benbatl is being aimed at the Gr.1 Dubai Turf.
Saeed bin Suroor has not saddled a horse in the Kentucky Derby since 2009 – before Meydan Racecourse was built – but the long-standing Godolphin trainer clearly means business in America.
Ever since Worldly Manner became Godolphin’s first representative in 1999, the race has been an itch that has not been satisfactorily scratched, and Thunder Snow’s performance bids to underpin an entire philosophy.
The race for excellence has no finish line. So said Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai. It has been his belief for nearly 20 years that the UAE Derby can be a springboard to success in the Kentucky Derby. So far, a win has proved elusive.Gr.2 UAE Derby (2017) winner Thunder Snow was unplaced in the Kentucky Derby (2017).
Although since then the winner of the Prix Jean Prat this summer, has won the Gr.2 Al Maktoum Challenge in his latest start at Meydan.
Saeed bin Suroor, celebrating his 11th success in the Al Maktoum Challenge Round Two, told Godolphin.com: “I don’t think the trip suited Thunder Snow last time when he ran over the mile and the nine and a half furlongs today is a better distance for him. Going up further in tripto a mile and a quarter will suit him even better.”
“We will take him to the third round of the Gr.1 Al Maktoum Challenge on Super Saturday and then Sheikh Mohammed will make the decision where to go after that.” Thunder Snow fans are hopefulof seeing him race in the Gr.1 Dubai World Cup race.
Asked whether Thunder Snow would have a chance in the G1 Dubai World Cup Sponsored by Emirates Airline, Christophe Soumillon(Thunder Snow regular jockey) has said: “I am sure that Thunder Snow will improve a lot. Saeed has a magical record and I am sure he knows how to train the horse if we target that race.
In addition to his many horseracing awards, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed honoured Bin Suroor for his services to horseracing at the 2015 UAE Pioneer Awards ceremony. Saeed was also received the Local Trainer Award at the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Creative Sports Awards in January 2018.