OTI’s Royal Ascot hero Docklands, winner of the Group 1 Queen Anne Stakes in June, is set for another big assignment this weekend when he returns to Ascot for the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes on Qipco Champions Day. From there, his campaign could take him to Japan and possibly on to Hong Kong.
Docklands has enjoyed a season that has firmly established him among Europe’s leading milers. His brilliant victory at Royal Ascot showed he could deliver on the biggest stage and later in the summer, he again proved his quality with a strong fourth in the G1 Prix Jacques le Marois at Deauville, where he finished on the heels of some top performers.
Trainer Harry Eustace has been delighted with how the horse consistently shows enthusiasm for his racing and continues to deliver with each new challenge. He’s been very happy with the way Docklands been working at home, and gave the entire an away day gallop at Nottingham Racecourse last week where he reported the horse was fit and ready to go.
After Ascot, Docklands’ campaign will go global. He has received an invitation to contest the prestigious Mile Championship in Japan, a race worth more than A$4m, with an additional bonus on offer for winners of recognised races like the Queen Anne. No European-trained horse has yet managed to win the race, but Docklands will attempt to make history in Kyoto in November.
A second shot at the Hong Kong Mile in December also remains on the cards, which would add another world-class location to this year’s itinerary. Docklands is no stranger to international travel, having competed in Australia last year in both the Cox Plate and Champions Stakes before rounding off 2024 in the Hong Kong Mile.
For OTI, Docklands represents the kind of horse every ownership group dreams of. He’s a genuine Group 1 performer with the ability to compete on the world stage. His campaign so far has already provided his owners with great memories, with even more excitement to come.