Master of the Zabeel Stables, Satish Seemar, has literally seen New Dubai take shape around him and his stables. Nad Al Sheba became Meydan and the area around Zabeel transformed into the Dubai World Trade Centre Complex, Emaar Financial District and so much more. Yet Seemar has not changed with the changing sands of time.
As he prepares Zabeel’s stable star North America and his stables mates for the greatest night of the season, Ten Furlong’s catches up with the top conditioner to talk about his journey to this year’s Dubai World Cup night:
Q: You have been winning in Dubai for decades, what does winning at Meydan on Dubai World Cup night mean to you now? And what did it mean when you first started?
A: To win a race on World Cup night in the present era, being a local trainer based in Dubai, gives me as a trainer and my team, great pleasure and has a very special meaning as we are competing against the world’s best. Seeing the competition when the Dubai World Cup first started, it seemed an uphill task to have success as the competition has always been of an extremely high level.
Q: You have been a leader in Dubai’s racing community since its Nad Al Sheba days, which was the first World Cup race did you attend? Are there any anecdotes which come to mind from the first race?
A: I attended the inaugural Dubai World Cup. To see the superstar of dirt racing CIGAR perform and win was a very special moment for myself as it was for any horseman.
Q: Were you there in Dubai when the World Cup had to be postponed due to the horrendous rain? What were your concerns and thoughts on that day?
A: Yes I was present when the rain postponed the World Cup for 7 days. I think only through the vision of HH SH Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the ruler of Dubai, could we have possibly held the race 7 days later when I clearly remember walking on the track and the water was above the knees! It was the persistent mind of His Highness that deployed the heavy duty military helicopters just meters above the track to dry the water out. For me as a horseman, this is always going to be one of the most memorable moments where the impossible became possible.
Q: In your own words, "Like humans, each horse is an individual and that is how they should be treated. You cannot treat them indifferently...each horse has its own personality, likes and dislikes, abilities and limits.” How do you first manage to create a special program for each horse, given the size of your stable and in the same way how to do you identify the diamonds early so that they are polished to the best of their ability?
A: The main key to managing a high-level stable is to have very highly dedicated and experienced staff. Once you have a good team behind you, it makes it easier to create an individual training program for each horse.
Q: You pioneered RDAD in Dubai and still champion the cause. How did this come about? How has RDAD grown in the last 20 years and how do you envision this growing bigger?
A: RDAD was established 20 years ago and it came about through an exhibition at the Trade Centre for differently abled people. Someone requested if I could provide ponies for the children to pet. I asked HH Sheikha Hassa Bint Mohammed Al Maktoum to which she readily offered to help. Hence the idea to start such an organization as RDAD. It took a couple of years of talking to different people in different countries to learn more, but with His Highness’s approval, we were given permission under the patronage of HH Sheikha Hassa Bint Mohammed Al Maktoum. As per the new regulations, it has been renamed EAPD, the Equestrian Association for People of Determination. This organization has grown and will continue to grow with local demand and population.
Q: What did you see in North America in the beginning? And where do you see him going in his career? What would you say, could be races he could target after the Dubai World Cup 2019?
A: To be honest, North America was one of our selections at one of the Racing In Dubai sales. As with all the horses we buy, we research their individual pedigrees, race records and confirmation. He will stay in Dubai and continue to race here as his connections prefer to enjoy watching him race in Dubai.
Q: We were very sad to hear about Raven’s Corner being euthanized. When did you first start training him and how do you remember him as a horse this season.
A: As much as we all love horse racing and working with these magnificent animals, what happened to Raven’s Corner is one of the worst experiences we have to face now and again. He was also one of the horses we selected at the sales and he started training as soon as we bought him. This was the season where I personally thought Raven’s Corner would achieve the highlights of his career. Last year he broke the track record for 1400m and this year he started with a bang by winning the Group 3 Dubawi Stakes. I was very bullish that his best performance would be in the Golden Shaheen on World Cup night.
Q: You have been driving the movement to get more local residents involved in the racehorse ownership in Dubai. What are the challenges you face?
A: In 1993 when I was asked to take the first horse from Dubai to race in the European Classics, I was very green and new to the racing and training business. I very clearly remember His Highness sensed my nervousness and took me aside and told me there was no need to be so nervous, I had his support. Since then I have never looked back.
Q: Who is your racing leadership hero?
A: His Highness SH Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum.
Q: What was the first leadership lesson you learned in your own racing career?
A: Years ago, when Meydan racecourse was first opened, I watched a 60-minute interview where HH SH Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum was asked why he had built it and who it was for. He replied, “For everybody in the world to participate in Dubai, especially the ex-pats and locals who live here”. This conversation left a strong impression on me as well as a challenge that we must realize this dream. Along with my fellow trainers in Dubai, we are doing really well and hopefully, this will keep improving as it only makes the racing in the UAE stronger.
Q: How valuable do you feel terms such as trust, teamwork, and respect are for you as a trainer?
A: They are the main ingredients of training, my job, and my reputation.
Q: At the beginning of your career, when you first started racing your horses in the truly iconic races in this world, which one of those first races was your most memorable?
A: The first horse I trained in the UAE I took to the UK and raced in the Guineas winning at York by 15 lengths. This is truly the most memorable part of UAE racing history.
Q: Which is your favourite horse in the world and why?
A: That has to be Dubai Millennium. He was one of the most imposing horses ever witnessed to race. Unfortunately, his life was short but he produced Dubawi who has taken the world by storm not only on the track but also in the breeding shed. Dubawi has also produced top racehorses and continues to do so.
Q: And finally, what or who inspires you to struggle continuously and raise the bar?
A: It is the healthy and fair competition that inspires me to compete and raise mine and my teams' standards in this business.
Published In Dubai World Cup Gold Souvenir 2019
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Credit: Pallavi Shevade pallavi.shevade@secretariatsworld.com