OTI’s General Manager, Shayne Driscoll, counts down his Top 10 Memorable Moments across the 2023/24 Racing Season.
Number 4 – Docklands G1 2nd-placing at Royal Ascot
Docklands provided one of our most memorable moments in the previous year, winning the Britannia Stakes at Royal Ascot for Harry Eustace and Hayley Turner as a three-year-old. His win in that race was a first for OTI at the prestigious Royal Ascot Carnival.
Returning to the scene of his greatest triumph this season, the stakes for Docklands’ ownership group were far greater. He was to contest the straight mile again, but this time, at Group 1 level. With two lead-up runs under his belt for two second placings at Listed level, Docklands lined up in the Group 1 Queen Anne Stakes over his favoured course and distance. In a field of 11 jumping from a mid-barrier, he would drift back in the early stages – a little further back than we would have expected. Approaching the 400m, Hayley began to weave through horses, with Docklands travelling better than most.
Approaching the 200m, things really began to get exciting. Looming outside the leader, Charyn, our entire looked a realistic chance of testing him to the line. Charyn would find sufficient to hold us off, and perhaps even pull away a little late, but our horse had secured a Group 1 second-place at Royal Ascot. A magnificent achievement for all involved.
Docklands runs 2nd in G1 Queen Anne Stakes.
The year is young for Docklands, destined to race during the Ebor Festival at York in August before sights are potentially set on a tilt at the Cox Plate.
Read highlight Number 5 – Sevenna’s Knight’s successive Group victories, here.
Read highlight Number 6 – Cepheus’ Sizzling Spring, here.
Read highlight Number 7 – 100 Up!, here.
Read highlight Number 8 – Glorious Group double at Rosehill, here.
Read highlight Number 9 – Amade’s Adelaide Cup Adventure, here.
Read highlight Number 10 – Femminile Flies Late, here.
Stay tuned for highlight Number 3 tomorrow.