Assistant trainer Leandro Mora (left), shown with Doug O’Neill, is overseeing the O’Neill horses sent to Dubai
Santa Anita is missing one of its friendliest faces for a spell, as Leandro Mora is in Dubai for 2 1/2 months.
A trusted and valued assistant of two-time Kentucky Derby-winning trainer Doug O’Neill for 18 years, the 61-year-old Mora departed Thursday for the Middle East where O’Neill will campaign 11 horses on a regular basis for the first time.
Dubai is familiar territory for Mora.
“I’ve been there 13 times,” he said before leaving with O’Neill, who will spend about two weeks with Mora before returning to California. “I started around 2001. I’m excited to be going because this is a good test for American horses.
“It’s the first time an American group is going, so let’s hope for the best.”
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