Saeed Bin Suroor, a renowned trainer in Flat racing, has worked with some of the top horses in the industry for over 20 years. Among these horses, Halling, a dual Coral-Eclipse hero, holds a special place in his heart. Bin Suroor, who dominated Flat racing in the 1990s and early 2000s, trained a long list of big-race winners including Dubai Millennium, Fantastic Light, Mark Of Esteem, Lammtarra, and Sakhee. However, he considers Halling to be among the best he has ever handled.
Halling, one of only five horses to win the Eclipse more than once, started his career under John Gosden before joining Godolphin. He won the 1995 Eclipse under Bin Suroor's guidance and went on to win multiple Group One races. Despite struggling on dirt surfaces, Halling had a successful racing career, winning prestigious races like the Prix d’Ispahan and a second Eclipse.
After retiring, Halling became a successful stallion, producing top-class horses like Cavalryman and Jack Hobbs. Bin Suroor emphasises Halling's class, consistent performance, and front-running style as key factors that set him apart as a special horse.
In addition to Halling, Bin Suroor also recalls fond memories of training other top horses like Daylami and Refuse To Bend, both of whom won the Eclipse under his care.
Even with a reduced string of horses, Bin Suroor continues to compete at the highest level, as demonstrated by recent successes like Wild Tiger's win at Royal Ascot. With a career filled with champions like Halling, Bin Suroor's reputation as a top trainer in Flat racing remains solid.