Banishing in Dubai preparing for Godolphin Mile
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HOT SPRINGS, Ark. – Banishing, who is at Meydan Racecourse in Dubai preparing for a start in the Group 2 Godolphin Mile on March 28, has been able to train without incident since the recent start of the war in Iran, according to his Oaklawn-based trainer, David Jacobson.
Banishing, a Grade 2 winner of more than $2.4 million, traveled to Saudi Arabia last month and ran eighth in the $20 million Saudi Cup on Feb. 14. Jacobson said the horse then took a short flight of “less than two hours” to Meydan Racecourse and has since been there preparing for the Godolphin Mile.
"We haven’t had to miss any training,” Jacobson said Tuesday. “The track is open for training. They’re pretty cool over there. The racing and everything is right on schedule, as far as I know. Everything is going forward as scheduled. That’s what we’re hearing.”
Jacobson has staff overseas and said the employees he has had with Banishing are safe.
“My crew, just like everyone in Dubai and the Middle East, is concerned,” he said. “It’s a turbulent time. We’re very cautiously concerned.”
Banishing is a son of Ghostzapper who races for Jacobson, Lawrence Roman, and new partner Sharaf Mohammed Al Hariri.
“He bought into him going into the Saudi Cup,” Jacobson said. “He’s going to stay in permanently and it looks like, in the future, we might have a few other horses together. We’re looking forward to a new relationship.”
Banishing was based at Oaklawn earlier in the meet. Upon his return to the U.S., he will be based in Kentucky, said Jacobson.
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