Docklands

Wednesday, Goodwood, Britain, post time: 15:05, VISIT QATAR SUSSEX STAKES-G1, £1,057,500, 3yo/up, 8f 0y Field: Carl Spackler (Ire) (Lope De Vega {Ire}), Docklands (GB) (Massaat {Ire}), Qirat (GB) (Showcasing {GB}), Rosallion (Ire) (Blue Point {Ire}), Field Of Gold (Ire) (Kingman {GB}), Henri Matisse (Ire) (Wootton Bassett {GB}), Serengeti (Fr) (Wootton Bassett {GB}). TDN Verdict: The Qatar Goodwood Festival's undoubted highlight brings about a clash of the generations, with G1 Irish 2,000 Guineas and G1 St James's Palace Stakes hero Field Of Gold replicating his sire Kingman's sophomore campaign. He will...

After Newmarket received a proper drenching on Thursday, Goodwood hopefuls Docklands (Massaat) and Asfoora (Flying Artie) took to the soft turf of the July Course for a spin ahead of their major-race targets next week. Partnered by Ted Durcan, the five-year-old Docklands, hero of last month's G1 Queen Anne Stakes, looked relaxed both pre- and post-work and had an easy stretch over Newmarket's undulations, making the most of a rare chance in an otherwise dry, hot summer to gallop on grass.  "It was as much a mental exercise for him...

Following Thursday's confirmation stage, Field Of Gold could face up to 10 rivals as he tries to emulate his brilliant sire, Kingman, by completing a Group 1 hat-trick in Wednesday's Visit Qatar Sussex Stakes. Trained by John and Thady Gosden, Field Of Gold has followed an almost identical path to Kingman so far this season, with his narrow defeat in the 2,000 Guineas at Newmarket being followed by devastating victories in the Irish 2,000 Guineas and the St James's Palace Stakes. Kingman had only three rivals to beat when winning...

The early part of last week was spent covering the JRHA Select Sale in Japan, a trip that is always illuminating, to an auction that remains extraordinary. Number one of the list of most surprising things from the five days spent in Hokkaido was Teruya Yoshida picking up his guitar to serenade guests with a rendition of John Denver's Take Me Home, Country Roads. An excellent choice of song, well performed. The Shadai Farm principal should be encouraged to form a Travelling Wilburys-style bloodstock supergroup. Bluegrass enthusiast and songwriter Arthur...

A visit to Richard Kent at Mickley Stud is guaranteed to involve some lively conversation - and lots of it - spiced with opinion, tips on horsemanship, and often some scurrilous gossip.  We've edited the gossip for legal reasons but it is still very much worth tuning into our latest episode of the TDN Conversations podcast in which Richard talks us through daily life in Shropshire and reflects on some of the stars to have been through his hands. Of the G1 Queen Anne Stakes victory of Docklands, by Mickey...

A visit to Richard Kent at Mickley Stud is guaranteed to involve some lively conversation - and lots of it - spiced with opinion, tips on horsemanship, and often some scurrilous gossip. Tune in to our latest episode of the TDN Conversations podcast with the breeder of Royal Ascot winner Docklands.

It has been a strangely discombobulating week in some respects. It started in Westminster last Monday with the All-Party Parliamentary Group issuing its stark warning of the triple threat to the industry posed by potential betting duty harmonisation, affordability checks and an overdue Levy reform. This came on the back of an industry update in Newmarket the previous week at which the TBA chairman Philip Newton warned of a potential catastrophic collapse in the supply chain of young Thoroughbreds in Britain. Then, stepping through the golden gates of Royal Ascot,...

ASCOT, UK -- There may be cause for concern when it comes to the tumbling number of foals bred in Britain but, with Ascot festooned with the Union Jack, the first three races represented a terrific result for the United Kingdom, falling to horses bred in England, Wales and Scotland.  In front of the King and Queen, first Docklands then Gstaad and American Affair testified to the strength of Thoroughbreds produced in the country, with British-based Irishmen Richard Kent and John McGrandles being the breeders behind the first two Group...

Trainer Harry Eustace says that he is eager for a rematch between his runner Docklands (GB) (Massaat {Ire}} and impressive Cox Plate winner Via Sistina (Ire) (Fastnet Rock {Aus}). Docklands was beaten 11 lengths when fifth in the Cox Plate late last month, with the ex-British runner Via Sistina chalking up a fourth Australian Group 1 success in style, beating runner-up Prognosis by eight lengths. Despite the margin of defeat, Eustace would prefer to clash again with Via Sistina in Saturday's Champions Stakes rather than drop back for the Champions...