Dan Blacker, Attention to Detail, and a Big Challenge at Meydan with Straight No Chaser

The trainer aims for another international victory with the top sprinter in the United States, who will contest the Dubai Golden Shaheen

Dan Blacker and his star, chasing another dream / BREEDERS' CUP

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (Special for TDN).- If attention to detail is key to being a top trainer, Dan Blacker has plenty of it. The California-based conditioner traveled 16 hours to Dubai last week just to watch his star Straight No Chaser work at Meydan ahead of the Dubai Golden Shaheen (G1, 1200m, dirt) on April 5.

“I only came for four days,” Blacker explained. “It was his first workout over the track, and I wanted to see how he moved over the surface. I also wanted to speak with my assistant, Juan Landeros, who rides him every day. He’s a crucial part of this horse’s success.”

In some ways, the trip was a homecoming for Blacker, who graduated in 2007 from the prestigious Godolphin Flying Start program, which includes a training phase in Dubai.

“Dubai was very different back then,” he recalled. “It has always held a special place in my heart, and I’ve always dreamed of having a horse good enough to compete on World Cup Night. I’m thrilled to have that opportunity now.”

Coincidentally, Conor Foley, now a bloodstock agent, was in the same Flying Start class as Blacker. In 2018, Foley purchased Tuz (Oxbow) for just $7,000 at the Keeneland September Yearling Sale. Seven years later, Tuz will be Straight No Chaser’s main rival in the Golden Shaheen.

“I watched his win in last year’s Golden Shaheen, and we have a lot of respect for him,” Blacker said. “Bhupat Seemar does an incredible job, and Tuz has the home-court advantage. For us, this is a new track and a new challenge. We’ll see who’s best on the big night.”

Straight No Chaser, however, has never shied away from a challenge. After capturing the Breeders’ Cup Sprint (G1)in November, he dazzled again last month with a dominant victory in the Riyadh Dirt Sprint (G2) in Saudi Arabia.

“Saudi was an incredible experience for me,” Blacker said. “The horse adapted perfectly there, and he’s just as good in Dubai. What makes him special isn’t just his talent and desire to run, but also how well he handles everything—even long travel. Nothing fazes him.”

The road to this moment hasn’t always been smooth. A son of Speightster, Straight No Chaser required patience early in his career.

“MyRacehorse bought him at the Fasig-Tipton Midlantic Breeze-Up Sale in Maryland,” Blacker explained. “After that, he needed some time—just normal immaturity issues, nothing serious. He arrived at my barn late in his two-year-old season and was still a bit backward. But as he trained and developed, he got stronger. He had a minor setback early at three, so he didn’t debut until July. But from day one, he showed immense talent.”

Married to renowned TV personality Christina Blacker, the British-born trainer has lived in California for 18 years. Though he maintains a reserved demeanor, he acknowledges that Straight No Chaser has been a game-changer for his career.

“He’s the best horse I’ve ever had, so of course he’s changed my life,” Blacker admitted. “He’s taken me around the world following his races, and any horse that does that is special. I’ve always wanted to compete on a global stage, so having a horse that can win at this level is incredibly exciting. I’m grateful to be his trainer.”

If Straight No Chaser wins the Golden Shaheen, the spacious Meydan winner’s podium might not be big enough. Through MyRacehorse, the sprinter has 946 owners, many of whom will be in Dubai for the race.

“The more owners, the bigger the party!” Blacker joked. “I don’t feel any extra pressure. I think micro-syndicates like MyRacehorse are a fantastic addition to the industry. They allow more people to get involved in ownership when they otherwise might not have. It’s a great thing, and I’m proud to be part of it.”

Blacker also highlighted the impact these owners can have in promoting the sport.

“I love sharing my passion for horses with people who aren’t typically exposed to racing,” he said. “I think owners enjoy the experience more when they’re part of the entire process leading up to a race. One of our challenges as an industry is promoting racing in a positive way. Through ownership, people get to see firsthand the level of care these horses receive, and that helps spread the right message.”

While riding the high of Straight No Chaser’s success, Blacker also faced a major scare earlier this year when his Pasadena home was in the evacuation zone for California’s wildfires.

“We had to leave for a week,” he recalled. “From our backyard, we could see the fire on January 7. The wind was unlike anything I’ve experienced in 18 years living in California. Our house didn’t burn, but we had to replace a lot of things due to smoke and ash damage. We were very lucky.”

Lucky, yes, but also hardworking and talented. With Straight No Chaser, Blacker’s story could be reaching a whole new level.