Durban July Winner Happily Retired In Dubai
Unaware that the eyes of the world have been firmly on Meydan for the past week, a Durban July winner spends his days in retirement just a stone’s throw from the ecstatic, maddened crowd who watched Japanese star Ushba Tesoro at the 27th edition of the Dubai World Cup roared home
Sporting Post photographer Chase Liebenberg nodded to cover his second Dubai World Cup and tells how he stumbled upon the fact that a Durban July winner spent his days in the United Arab Emirates – and then didn’t somewhere in a random paddock but practically in the city!
Chase Liebenberg meets the July Hero Trademark (Image – Liesl King)
Chase writes that he was wondering who the former July winner might be? After all, many of the winners of recent years are known and we know where they spend their days.
He was amazed to hear it was the winner of Africa’s Greatest Horseracing Event 2001, Trademark! Chase was only about 7 years old when the bass champion won the big race!
Piere Strydom and Trademark win July 2001 in Durban
Formerly Mike Bass-trained, Goldmark’s son, bred by D Cohen & Sons, is spending his days at the ripe old age of twenty-seven at Dar Al Khail, a facility owned and operated by Dubai Racing Club.
The incredible home and rehabilitation facility for ex-racehorses is run by Heather Copland. The facility is currently surrounded by towering skyscrapers and is close to the Red Stables of Dubai’s Doug Watson, who clinched a win on Godolphin Mile with Isolate on the night of the World Championships.
When I saw Trademark I couldn’t believe how good looking the old guy was.
We arranged for him to come outside for a small group of media to meet and greet the champion and what a pro he was!
He stood perfectly there for everyone to see and didn’t even bat an eyelid.
I work for the Bass Racing operation and on a personal level it was special to see him and have the opportunity to take a picture with him.
Trademark has really become a dream horse and a real globetrotter.
He was originally trained by Mike Bass at his Milnerton farm and was owned by Mike Barfoot and Tony Kerkman.
Speaking to Carol and Mike Bass, they said Trademark was a straight, healthy horse who was very intelligent. One of those horses that could practically read and write.
Trademarks – 2001 Queen’s Plate Hero with Bernie Fayd’herbe above
Candice Bass-Robinson also recalled that he was an easy horse to train. If anything, he kept his head very low to the ground while working and you’d think he’d fall over – but luckily he never is!
During his career under the Bass flag he won many feature races including the 2001 Durban July with Piere Strydom on board and the Queen’s Plate with Bernard Fayd’herbe.
After being sold to Dubai, he was coached by Satish Seemar. While in Dubai he never added a win to his belt, but in the United States he was victorious in the 2003 Gr2 Bernard Baruch Handicap and the Gr2 Fourstardave Handicap in Saratoga.
Trademark looks pretty bored – but he was there and made it! (Image – Liesl King)
The well-travelled gelding returned to Dubai under the care of Satish where he continued racing until he was nine before eventually retiring to Heather.
As a golden oldie, he will end his days at Dar Al Khail.
For more information on Dar Al Khail, contact Heather at [email protected]