Bhupat Seemar takes over as trainer at Zabeel Stables

Bhupat Seemar has been appointed as the permanent trainer at Zabeel Stables, Dubai Racing Club has announced.

Seemar took over the stable from his uncle Satish Seemar, a six-time UAE training champion whose license was suspended in November 2021 for training North America, a horse owned by Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov. Kadyrov has been widely criticized for human-rights abuses including killing journalists and dissidents.

Originally from India, Bhupat Seemar, 45, worked in the U.S. as an intern at Taylor Made Farms. He also spent time as an assistant to four-time Dubai World Cup-winning trainer Bob Baffert. In the 2021-22 racing season, during which he had the helm at Zabeel Stables on an interim basis, Bhupat Seemar saddled 47 winners in the United Arab Emirates, 30 of whom came at Meydan.

Commenting on the appointment, Dr. Mohammed Essa Al Adhab, board member and general manager of the Dubai Racing Club, said, “We are pleased with the appointment of Bhupat Seemar as a trainer at Zabeel Stables, which has a great record of achievements that enriched the local racing. Interestingly, Seemar has a blend of local and global experience that makes a perfect fit for maintaining the record of the stable and taking it to new heights.”

“I am honored to be the permanent trainer at Zabeel Stables, where I have worked for almost 20 years since arriving from California,” said Bhupat Seemar.

“I am looking forward to the upcoming season as we have a great team behind us and some outstanding clients who have invested in some very good bloodstock from all over the world.”

Seemar’s championship-winning season also saw him win his first top-level race when Switzerland, owned by Sheikh Rashid Bin Humaid Al Nuami, won the Dubai Golden Shaheen (G1) on March 26.

Seemar also saddled his first Kentucky Derby runner when the Burke family’s Summer Is Tomorrow traveled to Churchill Downs following his second-place finish in the UAE Derby (G2). Summer Is Tomorrow set a record-fast pace in the Kentucky Derby before weakening to finish last.

Seemar’s staff at Zabeel Stables includes his wife Caroline, who is part of the work riding team. Tadhg O’Shea, 10-time UAE champion, is again expected to be stable jockey at Zabeel for the forthcoming season.