West Saratoga, who placed 12th in the 2024 Kentucky Derby, is set to make his debut in Dubai under new trainer Bhupat Seemar. The four-year-old gray son of Exaggerator will compete in the second group Al Maktoum Mile at Meydan Racecourse this Friday.
This race marks West Saratoga’s first outing since being sold for $375,000 at the 2024 Inglis Digital USA December Sale. Previously trained by the late Larry Demeritt for owner Harry L. Beluch, the horse was privately acquired by Sheikh Rashid bin Humaid Al Nuaimi’s RRR Racing after the sale.
West Saratoga claimed victory in the 2023 Iroquois Stakes (G3) and secured second place in the Jeff Ruby Stakes (G3), earning a spot in the Kentucky Derby. After competing in the Derby, where he finished 12th, he ran two more races in 2024 before Demeritt’s health issues led to the horse being sold in December.
It has been over a year since West Saratoga last raced, and while the local rating system may present some challenges, new trainer Seemar is eager to see how he performs. Seemar stated, “He is doing great. I thank Sheikh Rashid for trusting me with this horse. Although he ran in the Kentucky Derby, we might take a cautious approach, entering smaller races first and gradually moving up to the big events.”
Jockey Sandro Paiva will be riding West Saratoga in the race.
Additionally, Wasnan Racing’s Tumbarumba, who debuted at Meydan in the Al Maktoum Mile, recently finished fourth in the Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile with trainer Brian Lynch. The five-year-old Oscar Performance gelding will now be trained by Hamad Al Jahani and ridden by jockey James Doyle.
Fan Take: West Saratoga’s transition to international racing under a new trainer highlights the global nature and evolving landscape of horse racing. Fans should watch closely, as his performance could signal exciting new opportunities and competition in prestigious international events.
