Lovesick Blues was named 2025 California-Bred Horse of the Year in a ceremony on Monday night, but the equine guest of honor was more than 8,300 miles away in Dubai.
Lovesick Blues finished fifth in the Group 2 Riyadh Dirt Sprint in Saudi Arabia on Feb. 14 and was transferred to Meydan Racecourse in Dubai shortly after that race in preparation for the Group 1 Golden Shaheen Sprint on March 28.
Librado Barocio, the gelding’s owner and trainer, was scheduled to fly to Dubai this week to oversee the 8-year-old gelding’s preparation, but travel in the region has been severely disrupted by the outbreak of war by the United States and Israel against Iran.
Barocio said on Wednesday that he is awaiting word from Dubai officials about travel options.
“I’ve got to get over there and make sure he’s okay,” Barocio said. “I’m a little nervous, but I’m not afraid.”
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Barocio said he has a stable employee with Lovesick Blues to help with training and day-to-day care.
“He’s training every day,” Barocio said.
The war is affecting the number of international shippers for the March 28 program at Meydan, which is led by the $12 million Dubai World Cup.
Earlier this week, trainer Derek Ryan said he will not send 2025 champion male sprinter Book’em Danno for the Golden Shaheen. Other owners and trainers have stated they are taking a wait-and-see approach and plan to monitor developments before deciding whether to send horses and stable staff.
Lovesick Blues, owned by the Barocio family’s Mia Familia Stable, won 2 of 7 starts in 2025, a season highlighted by a win in the Grade 1 Bing Crosby Stakes at six furlongs at Del Mar last July. Lovesick Blues was also recognized as the California-bred champion older horse and sprinter for 2025.
“It’s an honor, a blessing, a dream come true,” Barocio said. “I wished and dream about it, but to have it, I’m still on cloud nine. I can’t fathom that he won.”
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