In the lead-up to the Dubai Golden Shaheen, the remarkable journey of trainer Librado Barocio and his grey gelding Lovesick Blues has become one of the sport’s most intriguing international stories. From a modest purchase in California to the grand stage of Dubai, the pair are preparing to line up in one of the world’s premier sprint contests on 28 March.
For Barocio, the experience has been nothing short of extraordinary. Known for balancing two very different worlds — filmmaking and horse training — he now finds himself travelling the globe with a horse that has opened doors he never imagined.
“For me, it’s a blessing from God above. And it’s a dream come true,” Barocio reflected. “The good Lord brought Lovesick into my life and opened the doors for me to see the world. I never imagined I would come to the Middle East, but it’s beautiful and eye-opening.”
From Film Sets to the Dubai Golden Shaheen
Before making headlines in racing circles, Barocio’s path wound through the creative corridors of the University of California, Los Angeles, where he studied filmmaking after playing collegiate American football. During that period he also explored acting before shifting focus to directing and producing films.
Adopting the professional name Lee Librado — a suggestion from an agent who believed it would be easier to pronounce — he began producing his own independent projects. Rather than waiting for opportunities, Barocio financed and created films himself, building a modest but successful career behind the camera.
Horse racing, however, entered his life by chance. A relative introduced him to the sport through a trainer who encouraged him to take a small share in a racehorse. The thrill of watching a horse surge down the straight instantly rekindled the competitive excitement he once felt on the football field.
“When that horse was coming down the stretch, it felt just like being back on the field,” Barocio said. “That rush stayed with me.”
The Rise of Lovesick Blues
Licensed as a trainer since 1999, Barocio spent years searching for a standout performer. That search appeared unlikely to end when Lovesick Blues finished well down the field in a minor race during the summer of 2024. The grey gelding was bred by Nick Alexander, and few could have predicted what would follow.
Under Barocio’s care, the eight-year-old found a new level. From eight starts in his stable, the horse recorded two wins, two runner-up finishes and a third — all at stakes level. The highlight came in the Bing Crosby Stakes at Del Mar Racetrack, where he surged late to claim his first top-tier victory in dramatic fashion.
The gelding later competed against elite sprinters in the Breeders’ Cup Sprint, finishing sixth after a strong late run, before travelling to Saudi Arabia for the Riyadh Dirt Sprint, where he again performed with credit.
A Global Stage Awaits
Now the focus turns firmly to Dubai. The Dubai Golden Shaheen, staged at Meydan Racecourse in Dubai, represents one of the most prestigious dirt sprint contests in international racing.
For Barocio, the opportunity carries a sense of cinematic drama — the kind of storyline he once crafted on film sets.
“I’ve taken chances before and sometimes they worked,” he said. “You have to make your own future and make things happen.”
Whether the story ends in triumph or simply another memorable chapter, the journey of Librado Barocio and Lovesick Blues has already captured imaginations across the racing world. And when the gates open in Dubai, the unlikely partnership will once again step into the spotlight.
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