Melbourne Cup-winning trainer Sam Freedman has returned home but without the Melbourne Cup in hand, delivering the famous three-handled trophy to Without A Fight’s owner Sheikh Mohammed Obaid in a trip to Dubai last week.
The 27-year-old was joined on the visit by Cup-winning rider Mark Zahra in what was Freedman’s second time meeting the owner, who he first encountered seven years ago over lunch when working with trainer Roger Varian in the UK.
Freedman’s visit was planned prior to the Melbourne Cup victory.
“I have been to Dubai to deliver the Cup to Sheikh Mohammed Obaid, who was thrilled by the enormity and the actual size of the Cup, that was probably what he most impressed by, the weight of it,” said Freedman, who trains Without A Fight in partnership with his father Anthony.
“The aftermath of the horse winning, I think he has quickly learnt how significant it really was.
“He had the foresight to send the horse out in the first place, so this race was on his mind 18 months ago.”
With 70-80 horses in work across Europe, Freedman said Sheikh Mohammed Obaid’s support of Australian racing is set to grow with Group 1 Queen Anne Stakes-winning son of Frankel, Triple Time, set to stand at stud in Australia.
“He is slowly starting to become a big player and I think for Australian racing it’s important to foster a relationship, so the trip this week was very important,” he said.
He also owns leading superstar stallion Dubawi.
Freedman spoke at Wednesday’s Victorian Racing Media Association luncheon after winning the Personality of the Year award.
– racing.com
