Dubai // Bob Baffert, the trainer of Dubai World Cup contender Game On Dude, was reported to be in a "comfortable" condition Monday night after requiring emergency heart surgery.
The legendary American trainer suffered a heart attack at the Atlantis Hotel before being admitted to hospital.
Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, played an instrumental part in getting the three-time winner of the Eclipse Award the best medical attention following the attack in the early hours of Monday morning.
"Bob had a heart attack at 3am and was taken by paramedics to hospital," Bernie Schiappa, one of the owners of Game On Dude, told Britain's Racing Post.
"Sheikh Mohammed helped immensely in Bob being taken care of and the procedure to insert three stents being done so quickly. From the time we got to the emergency room to the intensive care unit, within two hours they had the procedure done, which was just remarkable.
"Bob is in a comfortable condition in intensive care and [Tuesday] hopefully he can be moved to another part of the hospital."
Both Game On Dude and his other horse, The Factor, due to contest the Dubai Golden Shaheen, exercised at Meydan Racecourse on Monday under the supervision of Tim Yakteen, Baffert's assistant trainer.
Baffert was staying at the hotel with his wife, Jill, and son, Bode, as he set to prepare both horses for Saturday's card.
He was due to join Schiappa for dinner but decided to go to bed early instead. Several hours later it was reported that Jill called paramedics.
The 59 year old won the Dubai World Cup in 1998 with Silver Charm, and Captain Steve three years later. He has also won the Kentucky Derby three times.
It is not yet known whether Baffert will be in a stable condition to be discharged from hospital but Schiappa was upbeat that he would be able to leave as early as Thursday.
"If everything goes well Bob will be discharged from hospital on Thursday and then we will take things from there," said Schiappa.
Follow us
[ @SprtNationalUAE ]
