Group 1 Winner Zazou Stolen In Czech Republic

Group 1 winner Zazou (Ger) (Shamardal), who stands at Darhorse Stud in the Czech Republic, was stolen on Friday evening and information on his recovery is being sought by the Czech authorities, according to published reports.

The stallion is part of the sanctioned assets of Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov, who is an ally of Vladimir Putin. The sanctions on Kadyrov were invoked following Russia's invasion of the Ukrainian Crimea in 2014. An attempt to kidnap Zazou, and G2 Dubai City Of Gold hero Mikhail Glinka (Ire) Galileo {Ire}) was made last January, but failed according to Czech Radio.

Popular in the Czech Republic, the stallion was based near Roudnice nad Labem, approximately 50km (31 miles) north of Prague. Bred by Stiftung Gestut Fahrhof, the 16-year-old's final races were in the colors of Kadyrov and he was trained by Waldemar Hickst in Germany. He won the G1 Premio Roma in Italy and placed second in the G1 German Derby.

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Trainer Satish Seemar’s License Suspended Over Alleged Involvement With Human Rights Abuse

The Emirates Racing Authority has suspended the license of six-time champion trainer Satish Seemar over alleged involvement with human rights abuse, reports racingpost.com. The action was taken after Seemar was named as a “prominent member” of the network of Ramzan Kadyrov, Head of the Chechen Republic, on the U.S. Department of the Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) list.

Kadyrov, leader of the Kadyrovtsy, is implicated in the murder of Boris Nemtsov, an opposition politician to Russian President Vladimir Putin, as well as the kidnapping, torturing, and killing of members of the LGBTI population in the Chechen Republic. The Kadyrovtsy are also accused of illegal abductions, torture, extrajudicial executions, and other abuses, including the detention of journalists and activists.

The OFAC list claims: “Seemar, a horse trainer for Kadyrov, has materially assisted, sponsored, or provided financial material, or technological support for, or goods and services to or in support of, Kadyrov.”

Seemar is listed as the trainer of Kadyrov's Group 1-winning Thoroughbred North America, but told the Racing Post that he no longer trains the horse.

“The horse in question, North America, is no longer in training at Zabeel Racing Stables and has been exported from the UAE,” Seemar told racingpost.com. “My case has been submitted to lawyers in Washington DC and I'm confident my name will be removed from the list in the near future.”

Read more at racingpost.com.

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Satish Seemar Temporarily Suspended By ERA

Trainer Satish Seemar has had his license temporarily suspended by the Emirates Racing Authority Stewards due to circumstances surrounding his association with owner Ramzan Kadyrov.

Kadyrov, the Head of the Chechen Republic, was added to the U.S. Department of the Treasury's Office Of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC)'s list for his record of serious human rights abuses in 2017. Seemar, who trained the 2018 G1 Al Maktoum Challenge Round 3 victor North America (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}) for Kadyrov, was put on the list due to his connection with Kadyrov on Dec. 10, 2020.

“The status of Mr. Seemar's license will be reviewed by the ERA upon the resolution of his status with the United States Government,” the ERA said in a statement.

Seemar's string based out of Zabeel Stables will in the meantime be handled by his assistant, Bhupat Seemar.

“I have been informed by the Emirates Racing Authority that they are suspending my license temporarily, with immediate effect,” Seemar said in statement. “This is due to one of my former clients [Kadyrov] being included on the United States OFAC list. I have been placed on the list due to training the horse.

“The horse in question, North America, is no longer in training at Zabeel Racing Stables, and has been exported from the UAE. My case has been submitted to lawyers in Washington DC and I am confident my name will be removed from the list in the near future.

“Bhupat Seemar will be holding the license until further notice and he and the excellent team at Zabeel Stables will endeavor to uphold the high standards we have maintained throughout the past 30 years.”

OFAC said of Seemar at the time of his designation, that he “has materially assisted, sponsored, or provided financial material, or technological support for, or goods and services to or in support of, Kadyrov.”

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