Bin Suroor Reminisces on Juddmonte International Triumphs

For most trainers, winning a race as prestigious as the Juddmonte International is a career-defining moment. However, for Saeed bin Suroor, choosing his favorite victory from the four he has claimed in the race is no easy task. In fact, it’s a dilemma akin to picking a favorite child – a choice made nearly impossible by the deep bond trainers develop with their standout horses.

Bin Suroor, the Godolphin maestro, secured his most recent Juddmonte International win two decades ago with the formidable Sulamani. Yet when reflecting on his achievements at York, it’s Halling and Sakhee who stand out most vividly in his mind, albeit for different reasons.

Halling, who triumphed in back-to-back Juddmontes in 1995 and 1996, played a pivotal role in Godolphin’s early success. His dominance on the Knavesmire laid the foundation for Godolphin’s reputation as a global powerhouse.

“Halling is a very special horse for Godolphin,” Bin Suroor recalls. “He did a lot for us in the early days to put us on the map. We were only interested in the best horses, and he was one of those.”

Halling’s career began under John Gosden, with a victory in the Cambridgeshire off a modest rating of 93 before joining Godolphin and ascending to Group One stardom. His five Group One wins cemented his status, although he was less effective on dirt, as Bin Suroor explains: “We tried him in the Breeders’ Cup Classic and the Dubai World Cup, but he wasn’t suited to the dirt.”

While Halling’s double wins are iconic, Sakhee’s performance in the 2001 Juddmonte International was nothing short of breathtaking. His seven-length demolition job at York was a clear signal of the dominance that would follow. He went on to claim a resounding victory in the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe and came agonizingly close to winning the Breeders’ Cup Classic, narrowly beaten by Tiznow.

“Sakhee was always a top-class horse,” Bin Suroor says with pride. “He was a big, strong horse and one of the best work horses. He always wanted to show how good he was.”

Sulamani’s path to Juddmonte glory was different from the Godolphin-bred Halling and Sakhee. Acquired from France after winning the Prix du Jockey Club for Pascal Bary, Sulamani quickly became an international star under Bin Suroor’s care, with victories in the Arlington Million, Canadian International, and Dubai Sheema Classic.

“Sulamani was a great horse to travel with,” Bin Suroor reflects. “He was very versatile, and we took him all over the world. At York, he beat Norse Dancer, but he also left his mark by siring notable jumpers like Honeysuckle and Grand National winner Rule The World.”

For Bin Suroor, patience has always been key. His philosophy of giving horses time has paid off with late bloomers like African Story and Prince Bishop, who won the Dubai World Cup at ages seven and eight. “When you have the horse, you have to give them a chance,” he says. “Some people want everything now, but the longer you give them, the better they are.”

As the Juddmonte International once again takes center stage at York, Bin Suroor’s memories of his past victories offer a reminder of the deep, lasting connections that are forged between trainer and horse. For him, the Juddmonte isn’t just a race; it’s a stage where legends are made and cherished memories are created.