Saeed bin Suroor is, by far, one of the greatest sportsmen the UAE has ever produced, a horseman of the highest calibre who has proudly carried the flag of Emirati excellence worldwide.
Saeed’s rise in horse racing is deeply intertwined with the vision of Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai — one that has transformed the sport at a global level.
Born in Dubai on October 10, 1966, Saeed was raised in a culture where horses were more than just animals —they were a way of life. His family’s deep-rooted passion for equestrianism meant he was always surrounded by the sport, yet his professional journey initially took a different turn. Saeed began his career in law enforcement, joining the Dubai Police Force, where discipline and leadership became second nature to him.
Despite his commitment to the force, his love for horses never wavered. He trained racehorses for friends and family during his spare time, quietly honing his skills. His natural talent did not go unnoticed, and it was none other than Sheikh Mohammed who recognised his potential. In 1992, Sheikh Mohammed entrusted Saeed with a string of 28 horses — a gesture that would change the trajectory of Saeed’s life forever.
The epic breakthroughIn 1995, Saeed took over from fellow Emirati Hilal Ibrahim as Godolphin’s head trainer, stepping into one of the most high-profile roles in global racing.
It was a calculated gamble — Saeed had yet to train at the highest level, but Sheikh Mohammed saw something in him that others did not.
Saeed and Sheikh Mohammed continue to work closely, with the Ruler of Dubai personally overseeing key decisions for Godolphin. The two share a unique connection built on a shared passion for equine excellence.
Saeed is in constant communication with Sheikh Mohammed, whose hands-on approach to stable operations and making key decisions about which races the horses should target has guided Godolphin to the pinnacle of international racing.
Words of wisdom“From the very first day I took the job at Godolphin, His Highness told me, ‘We do not settle for second best’. That has been my guiding principle every day. He has always pushed us to be the best in the world, and without his leadership, none of what Godolphin has accomplished would have been possible,” said Saeed.
Today, as Dubai hosts the 29th Dubai World Cup, it is impossible to overlook the contributions of Saeed, who has orchestrated some of his greatest victories on home soil at Nad Al Sheba Racecourse and then Meydan Racecourse. His training acumen has secured nine Dubai World Cup victories and over 2,000 wins worldwide, with nearly 200 at the prestigious Group 1 level.
Recognising his immense contributions, Sheikh Mohammed honoured Saeed at the 2015 UAE Pioneer Awards ceremony and again in 2018 with the Local Trainer Award at the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Creative Sports Awards.
A career defined by excellenceSaeed’s career is defined by excellence both in the UAE and internationally. He trains from Al Quoz Stables in Dubai from November to March and moves to the historic Godolphin Stables in Newmarket, UK, for the rest of the year. He is one of Britain’s most respected trainers, securing four British Trainers’ Championships in his first few years with Godolphin. His triumphs include 13 British Classic victories, led by the legendary Lammtarra and more recently, the 2023 1,000 Guineas winner, Mawj. Saeed has also trained nine Dubai World Cup winners, including the incomparable Dubai Millennium in 2000 and Thunder Snow, the only horse to win the race twice.
Saeed bin Suroor, Emirati trainerFrom the very first day I took the job at Godolphin, His Highness told me, ‘We do not settle for second best’. That has been my guiding principle every day. He has always pushed us to be the best in the world”“I remember before Dubai Millennium’s World Cup win, His Highness told me, ‘This horse is special — he will make history.’ He saw something in him that no one else did, and he was right. That’s the kind of vision that sets His Highness apart,” Saeed recalls.
“But it’s not just his vision — it’s values, ethics, and His Highness’s unwavering belief in hard work and excellence that inspires everyone around him. He doesn’t just dream, he builds and turns ambition into reality. He has always taught us that success is not just about winning races but discipline, respect, and never settling for anything less than your best.
“His Highness leads by example. He is the first to believe in the impossible and the last to give up on a challenge,” adds Saeed. “I have learned from him that greatness is not handed to you — it is earned through dedication, through pushing beyond limits, and through staying true to your principles. That is what makes him an extraordinary leader, not just in racing, but in everything he does. For me, working under his guidance has been the greatest privilege of my life.”
A legacy of excellenceIt is this philosophy of relentless ambition and the pursuit of excellence that has shaped Saeed’s journey and fueled his success. His impact extends across the world, with notable victories in the Arlington Million, Breeders’ Cup Turf, and France’s illustrious Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe, among many others. These triumphs reflect not only his ability as a trainer but also the depth of trust placed in him by Sheikh Mohammed, who has enabled Saeed to compete and succeed on the world’s biggest stages.
Saeed’s approach to training is methodical, meticulous, and deeply rooted in the belief that progress is always more important than past successes. “For me, the past does not exist,” he told this writer. “It’s there, but it counts for nothing. You have to move on, take up more challenges, win more races and confront new frontiers.”
Saeed’s philosophy of always looking forward, rather than dwelling on past successes, has helped keep Godolphin ahead in the competitive world of horse racing.
Success measured in the journeyDespite his numerous accolades and an enviable record that places him among the most successful trainers in the world, Saeed remains remarkably humble. For him, success is not measured in trophies or titles, but in the journey. He carries his achievements with quiet pride, always looking ahead to the next challenge rather than dwelling on past triumphs.
“As long as people see me as a successful trainer, I’m happy,” he says. “I don’t know what fame means. To me, what I do is a job - it’s what has made my life and brought happiness to my family. It has been an amazing journey, and for that, I have to thank His Highness for believing in me and allowing me to train some of the greatest horses in the world.
“If someone else had given me this chance, maybe I would have been just another trainer. But His Highness believed in me when no one else did. Every win, every trophy, is my way of saying thank you.”
Saeed’s journey reflects not only his dedication but also the trust placed in him by Sheikh Mohammed — a trust that has helped reshape modern horse racing.
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