REYNALDOTHEWIZARD
CARNIVAL RIDES: Getting to Know the #DWCCarnival Stars
AGE: 12
COLOR: Bay
SIRE: Speightstown (Gone West)
DAM: Holiday Runner (Meadowlake)
COUNTRIES TRAINED: USA, UAE
TRAINER: Satish Seemar
OWNER: Zabeel Racing International
BREEDER: Gibraltar Group (Kentucky, USA)
MEYDAN RECORD: 23-10-2-2
CAREER RECORD: 29-11-2-4
EARNINGS: US$2,190,790
NEXT RACE: Al Shindagha Sprint (G3) (8th Feb)
HIGHLIGHTS: A winner in 6-of-8 previous years racing at Meydan. Winner of all four of the local Group dirt sprints: the upgraded Dubawi (G3), Al Shindagha Sprint (G3), Mahab Al Shimaal (G3) & Dubai Golden Shaheen sponsored by Gulf News (G1). Competed in 4-of-5 previous Dubai Golden Shaheens. Began career in USA, racing six times for trainer Eoin Harty, winning on debut in July 2008 at Churchill Downs and placing in the Saratoga Special (G2) in his second start. Won the Dubawi three times (2015-17) before finishing a third in 2018. Half-brother to multi-G1 winner Seventh Street
BACKGROUND: The most popular horse in the UAE is easily Reynaldothewizard. He has stood the test of time, quite literally, competing into his 12-year-old season in 2018; a feat unmatched at the Group-racing level. He has become the darling of Meydan racing fans, notably bringing the house to frenzy when winning the Dubawi Stakes for the third consecutive year in 2017 at the age of 11. A winner of the Dubai Golden Shaheen (G1) at age seven (2013), he holds a special place in the hearts of racing fans worldwide; year-after-year competing against the best sprinters on the planet and proving to be one of the most genuine athletes thoroughbred racing has seen. Satish Seemar’s first G1 winner, he once again is training and competing well, defying convention and all possible odds.
“He holds a lot of importance to me,” Seemar said. “The other day (in the Dubawi), I was planning his retirement at about three furlongs out, but then he decided that he wanted to try to win the race. That’s the way he is. He wants to race and is doing very well. When you have a horse racing at his age, he knows the drill and does it at his own pace. We are looking after his health, not forcing him to run and he is happy every day. You can have a 12-year-old race, but not running up to the top international level and that’s very unique. He’ll be special to me forever and has given me many great memories. We’re looking forward to racing again on Thursday.”
PERSONALITY: “He’s kind of a pro. He’s not a cuddly horse, of course, but he is intelligent and knows how to take care of himself. For example, I have my office on the side and I walk through the yard where he can see me. Sometimes I try to avoid eye-contact with him, but when I do that, he knows I am trying to avoid him. He will nicker at me because he wants his apple. He doesn’t want me, he wants his apple. He also sleeps when he wants to sleep and gets plenty of rest. He’s a professional.” – Seemar
STRENGTHS: “He protects himself and I think that is very important. He has a level of professionalism and likes to run and win. As human beings, there are certain factors that we can’t know and he intercedes and lets us know when he’s not 100%. When he does that, we then understand what he’s trying to tell us and that’s when we don’t race him and give him time. He always tries and you see it in that last furlong.” – Seemar
