If the attention to detail makes up a good race horse trainer, Dan Blacker has abundance.
The coach based in California flew to Dubai last week to see his superstar Not a chaser just Work in front of the Dubai Golden Shaheen (G1) on April 5 on the Meydan RaceCourse.
“I came in for four days,” he said. “It was his first work there, so I just wanted to see how he went over the track and spoke to my assistant Juan Landeros, who rises every day. He is a enormous part of the success of this horse.”
In a way, it was a return to Blacker, who completed the Godolphin Flying Start Program in 2007. The two -year course included a stay in Dubai, which Blacker lovingly remembers.
“Dubai was very different from what it is now,” he says. “It always had a special place in my heart and I always hoped to have a horse that is good enough to take part in the World Cup night. I am thrilled to get the opportunity to do it with this horse.”
Also on this 2007 course was the soon to be the Bloodstock Agent Conor Foley, who later bought Salt For only 7,000 US dollars in the Keeland September Saling Sale in 2018. Seven years later, Tuz will be the main competitor for the Straight No Chaser in the Golden Shaheen. Blacker has always thoroughly researched the local sprint star, which is unbeaten in his last five starts, including this race in 2024.
“I saw his victory in the Golden Shaheen last year and we respect this horse very much,” he says. “Bhupat (Seemar, Trainer) does a great job and he is on his home racing – I think that's the main thing. This is a up-to-date surface for us, a up-to-date challenge. We just have to see who is best on the huge night.”
Recent challenges do not seem to fade directly, no chaser that took place in the success of the breeding cup (G1) sea In November with a blasty victory in the Riyadh Dirt Sprint (G2) in Saudi Arabia a month ago.
Dan Blacker (left) with a straight no chaser jockey John Velazquez in Saudi Arabia
“Saudi was personally a great experience,” says Blacker. “The horse really adventure there and he also thrives in Dubai. What is remarkable about this horse is not only his talent and desire, but also that he simply takes everything in his crotch – everything is not a problem – that makes him special.”
However, the straight no Chaser trip was not always polished, and the 6-year-old son of Speightter needed a lot of patience at the beginning of his career.
“(Owner) Myracehorse bought him in the FASIG-TIPTON (Midlantic 2-year-olds in training sales) in Maryland,” explains Blacker. “After that he needed a little time, just unripe, nothing major. He came to my barn at the end of his 2-year year and was a bit a delayed bloomer. But when he trained and grew, he only became stronger. We had a little problem with him at the beginning of his 3-year year, but he always showed a lot of talent.
Blacker, who is married to the well-known racing TV presenter Christina Blacker, originally comes from Great Britain and, despite 18 years in California, may still have his British reserve. Nevertheless, he admits that no Chaser has broken up-to-date territory for him.
“He is the best horse I've ever had, so of course he changed my life,” he says. “I have to follow him in his races all over the world and every horse that does this is something very special. To compete on the global stage, it was always an ambition from me, so a horse that can and can win is very stimulating. I am grateful to be his coach.”
Should no chaSer win the Shaheen, even Meydan's ample winning stage could be a little overcrowded. Through the Micro-Share company Myracehorse, he has 946 owners, many of whom will make their trip.
“The more owners, the greater the party!” Blacker says with a little united states in the last word. “I don't feel pressure. I think the Micro Share syndicates like Myracehorse are a great addition to the industry. It encourages people to own if they may not have yet. I think it's a really positive thing and I am proud to be part of it.
“I enjoy sharing my love for the game and my love for horses with people who are exposed to fewer horses and horse races. I believe that the owners have more thrills if they are part of the process that leads to each race. One of our challenges in the industry is a positive way to promote sports and they can spread these horses and spread these horses.”
Blacker is not only grateful for his role in the Straight No Chaser story for a ecstatic escape at the beginning of this year when his family house was near the California forest fires.
“We evacuated for about a week,” he explains. “We live in Pasadena and were able to see the fire from our back yard on January 7th. The winds were like nothing that I ever felt before and I lived in California for 18 years. Our house was not burned, but we had to replace a lot of things due to smoke damage and ash. Overall, we were very lucky.”
Happiness, yes, but demanding work and talent have also played a role in the Blacker history. This story could get even better with a straight one.
This press release was edited by Bloodhorse Stab for content and style.
