Queen Anne Stakes
 QuinnBet
Group 1, Ascot 14:30
£750,000 guaranteed,
4yo plus,
1m, Class 1   
Tuesday 17th June 2025

1 Docklands 14/1
2 Rosallion 5/2F
3 Cairo 100/1
10 ran NR: Sardinian Warrior Distances: nse, 1¾l, ½l
Time: 1m 41.39s (slow by 2.49s)

It’s official: Harry Eustace has joined the Group 1 club – and he did it the hard way. In a Queen Anne Stakes that will live long in the Royal Ascot memory, Docklands, the local hero with a heart of teak, edged out the fast-finishing Rosallion in the tightest of finishes – a nose the official verdict, but it could hardly have been closer.

The drama unfolded as expected – a field of ten, spread wide across the Ascot straight, with Docklands taking his stand on the far side rail while Rosallion was poised ominously towards the stands’ side. Mark Zahra, riding at Royal Ascot for the first time, looked in trouble when he lost his whip with a furlong to go – but Docklands didn’t read the script. He simply locked on and refused to be passed.

Twelve months ago, Docklands was second in the meeting’s opener. He came back to win the Britannia last year, and this time he’s delivered the top-level triumph that had always seemed just out of reach – until today.

Rosallion, last year’s St James’s Palace hero, ran a stormer. He looked the winner a hundred yards out. But Docklands, gritty as ever, found more – and then some. In behind, Cairo outran his odds to take third, just ahead of an unlucky Notable Speech, who saw daylight far too late to make a telling impact.

A visibly emotional Eustace said afterwards:

“I’ve lost my voice – that was pretty sweet. Honestly, I was cursing him at the start, he missed it again. But what a horse. Just an absolute star.”

“He’s been frustrating, but only because we all knew what he had in him. If ever there was a track for a specialist, it’s here – and he just loves Ascot. I thought we were done when Rosallion came at us, but he dug so deep. He’s so brave. An absolute legend for us.”

It was also redemption after a luckless run at Epsom just ten days prior, where Docklands was caught in a pocket and never saw daylight.

Zahra, all smiles after the race, was clearly soaking up every second of his Ascot moment:

“I was so scared of the whip rules I thought I’d just chuck it away at the 200!” he laughed.
“But he kept finding. I got the gap at the right time and he just surged. What a horse. What a day. This was meant to be a stopover before Ibiza – instead, it’s turned into a career highlight.”

Rosallion’s trainer Richard Hannon could barely hide the anguish of being nosed out:

“I thought he had it. Hit the front, looked home… then done right on the line. But nobody died. He’s run a great race and beaten a field full of champions.”

Silvestre de Sousa, who guided Cairo to an eye-catching third, was proud of the outsider:

“There wasn’t much pace on, but he’s deserved his place here and he showed why.”

As for Notable Speech, Charlie Appleby had the look of a man who’d seen it all before – and will again:

“It was hard to watch. You’re sat there, he’s travelling like a dream, and then it turns into a sprint. You’re left switching, losing ground. But he’s run well – maybe seven furlongs is the answer now.”

So, a race packed with layers: the slow early gallop, the cross-track battle, a whipless surge to glory, and a photo finish that crowned Docklands the king of Ascot. For Harry Eustace, it’s the sweet reward of persistence, and for Docklands – the horse who just loves it every day – it’s a fitting coronation.

Queen Anne Stakes (British Champions Series)
£750,000 guaranteed, 4yo plus, 1m, Class 1
10 ran
Going: Good to Firm, Good in places

POS. (DRAW) DIST HORSE AGE WGT TRAINER JOCKEY SP
1 (5)    Docklands 5 9-2 Harry Eustace Mark Zahra 14/1
2 (10) nse Rosallion 4 9-2 Richard Hannon Sean Levey 5/2F
3 (11) 1¾ Cairo 5 9-2 Alice Haynes Silvestre De Sousa 100/1
4 (6) ½ Notable Speech 4 9-2 Charlie Appleby William Buick 4/1
5 (9) ½ Lake Forest 4 9-2 William Haggas Tom Marquand 14/1
6 (8) shd Carl Spackler 5 9-2 Ciaron Maher James McDonald 15/2
7 (3) 3½ Lead Artist 4 9-2 John & Thady Gosden Colin Keane 5/1
8 (2) nk Dancing Gemini 4 9-2 Roger Teal Kieran Shoemark 6/1
9 (1) 8½ Diego Velazquez 4 9-2 A P O'Brien Ryan Moore14/1
10 (7) nk Quddwah 5 9-2 Simon & Ed Crisford Callum Shepherd 16/1
NR 11 (4) Sardinian Warrior 4 9-2 John & Thady Gosden NON RUNNER

SureWIn

THE QUEEN ANNE STAKES
Past Results

2024-WINNER-CHARYN Nurlan Bizakov Roger Varian Silvestre De Sousa 4 9-02 100/30F

2023-WINNER-TRIPLE TIME Sheikh Mohammed Obaid Al Maktoum Kevin Ryan Neil Callan 4 9-02 33/1

2022-WINNER-BAAEED Shadwell Estate Company Ltd William Haggas Jim Crowley 4 9-02 1/6F

2021-WINNER-PALACE PIER John & Thady Gosden Frankie Dettori Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed Al Maktoum 4 9-00 2/7F

2020-WINNER-CIRCUS MAXIMUS Aidan O’Brien IRE Ryan Moore Flaxman Stables, Sue Magnier, M Tabor, D Smith 4-9-00 4/1F

2019-WINNER-LORD GLITTERS David O’Meara Danny Tudhope Geoff & Sandra Turnbull 6-9-00 14/1

2018-WINNER-ACCIDENTAL AGENT Eve Johnson Houghton Charles Bishop Gaie Johnson Houghton 4-9-00 33/1

2017-WINNER-RIBCHESTER 4-9-00 Owner-Godolphin; Trainer-Richard Fahey; Jockey-William Buick; SP-11/10F
2ND-Mutakayyef 6-9-00 Owner-Hamdan Al Maktoum; Trainer-William Haggas; Jockey-Jim Crowley; SP-5/1
3RD-Deauville 4-9-00 Owner-Fitri Hay, Michael Tabor, Sue Magnier, Derrick Smith; Trainer-Aidan O’Brien IRE; Jockey-Ryan Moore; SP-12/1
16 ran; Time-1m 36.60s; Dist-11⁄4, nk

2016-WINNER-TEPIN 5-8-11 Owner-Robert Masterson; Trainer-Mark Casse USA; Jockey-Julien Leparoux; SP-11/2
2ND-Belardo 4-9-00 Owner-Godolphin & Prince A A Faisal; Trainer-Roger Varian; Jockey-James Doyle; SP-9/2 Jt Fav
3RD-Lightning Spear 5-9-00 Owner-Qatar Racing Limited; Trainer-David Simcock; Jockey-Oisin Murphy; SP-20/1
13 ran; Time-1m 43.98s; Dist-1⁄2, 11⁄4 9/2 Jt Fav Ervedya (5th)

2015-WINNER-SOLOW -9-00 Owner-Wertheimer & Frere; Trainer-Freddy Head FR; Jockey-Maxime Guyon; SP-11/8 Fav
2ND-Esoterique 5-8-11 Owner-Baron Edouard De Rothschild; Trainer-Andre Fabre FR; Jockey-Pierre Charles-Boudot; SP-16/1
3RD-Cougar Mountain 4-9-00 Owner-Michael Tabor, Derrick Smith & Sue Magnier; Trainer-Aidan O’Brien IRE; Jockey-Ryan Moore: SP-16/1
8 ran; Time-1m 37.97s; Dist-1, nk

2014-WINNER-TORONADO 4-9-00 Owner-Al Shaqab Racing; Trainer-Richard Hannon; Jockey- Richard Hughes; SP-4/5 Fav
2ND-Verrazano 4-9-00 Owner-Sue Magnier, Michael Tabor & Derrick Smith; Trainer-Aidan O’Brien IRE; Jockey-Joseph O’Brien; SP-6/1
3RD Anodin 4-9-00 Owner-Wertheimer & Frere; Trainer-Freddy Head FR; Jockey-Olivier Peslier; SP-9/1
10 ran; Time-1m 37.73s; Dist-3⁄4, 11⁄4

2013-WINNER-DECLARATION OF WAR 4-9-00 Owner-Sue Magnier, Michael Tabor, Derrick Smith & Joseph Allen; Trainer-
Aidan O’Brien IRE; Jockey-Joseph O’Brien; SP-15/2
2ND-Aljamaaheer 4-9-00 Owner-Hamdan Al Maktoum; Trainer-Roger Varian; Jockey-Paul Hanagan; SP-8/1
3RD-Gregorian 4-9-00 Owner-Princess Haya Of Jordan; Trainer-John Gosden; Jockey-Tom Queally; SP-16/1
13 ran; Time-1m 38.48s; Dist-¾, ½ 5/4 Fav Animal Kingdom (11th)

2012-WINNER-FRANKEL 4-9-00 Owner-Khalid Abdullah; Trainer-Sir Henry Cecil; Jockey-Tom Queally; SP-1/10 Fav
2ND-Excelebration 4-9-00 Owner-Derrick Smith, Sue Magnier & Michael Tabor; Trainer-Aidan O’Brien IRE; Jockey-Joseph O’Brien; SP-5/1
3RD-Side Glance 5-9-00 Owner-Qatar Racing Limited; Trainer-Andrew Balding; Jockey-Jimmy Fortune; SP-33/1
11 ran, Time-1m 37.85s; Dist 11, nk

2011-WINNER-CANFORD CLIFFS 4-9-00 Owner-The Heffer Syndicate, Michael Tabor & Derrick Smith; Trainer-Richard Hannon; Jockey-Richard Hughes; SP-11/8
2ND-Goldikova 6-8-13 Owner-Wertheimer et Frere; Trainer-Freddy Head FR; Jockey-Olivier Peslier; SP-5/4 Fav
3RD-Cityscape 5-9-00 Owner-Khalid Abdullah; Trainer-Roger Charlton; Jockey-Ryan Moore; SP-14/1
7 ran, Time-1m 38.38s; Dist: 1, 1¾

2010-WINNER-GOLDIKOVA 5-8-11 Owner-Wertheimer et Frere; Trainer-Freddy Head FR; Jockey-Olivier Peslier; SP-11/8 Fav
2ND-Paco Boy 5-9-00 Owner-The Calvera Partnership No 2; Trainer-Richard Hannon; Jockey-Richard Hughes; SP-11/4
3RD-Dream Eater 5-9-00 Owner-Jeff Smith; Trainer-Andrew Balding; Jockey-Jimmy Fortune; SP-50/1
10 ran, Time-1m 37.74s; Dist: nk, 3¼

2009-WINNER- PACO BOY 4-9-00 Owner-The Calvera Partnership No 2; Trainer-Richard Hannon; Jockey-Richard Hughes; SP-100/30
2ND-Cesare 8-9-00 Owner-Cheveley Park Stud Ltd; Trainer-James Fanshawe; Jockey-Johnny Murtagh; SP-11/1
3RD-Aqlaam 4-9-00 Owner-Hamdan Al Maktoum; Trainer-William Haggas; Jockey-Richard Hills; SP-10/1
9 ran, Time-1m 39.31s; Dist: 1½, ½. 9/4 Fav Gladiatorus (6th)

2008-WINNER-HARADASUN 5-9-00 Owner-Frank Tagg/Sue Magnier/Frank Meduri/Garry Moffitt; Trainer-Aidan O’Brien
IRE; Jockey-Johnny Murtagh; SP-5/1
2ND-Darjina 4-8-11 Owner-Princess Zahra Aga Khan; Trainer-Alain De Royer-Dupre FR; Jockey-Christophe Soumillon; SP-5/1
3RD-Finsceal Beo 4-8-11 Owner-Michael Ryan; Trainer-Jim Bolger IRE; Jockey-Kevin Manning; SP-9/2 Fav
11 ran, Time-1m 38.98s, Dist: hd, ¾

2007-WINNER-RAMONTI 5-9-00 Owner-Godolphin; Trainer-Saeed bin Suroor; Jockey-Frankie Dettori; SP-5/1
2ND-Jeremy 4-9-00 Owner-Betty Moran; Trainer-Sir Michael Stoute; Jockey-Ryan Moore; SP-14/1
3RD-Turtle Bowl 5-9-00 Owner-B van Dalfsen; Trainer-Francois Rohaut FR; Jockey-Olivier Peslier; SP-33/1
8 ran, Time-1m 37.21s, Dist: sh, sh 10/11 Fav George Washington (4th)

2006-WINNER-AD VALOREM 4-9-00 Owner-Sue Magnier & Bob Ingham; Trainer-Aidan O’Brien IRE; Jockey-Kieren Fallon; SP-13/2
2ND-Court Masterpiece 6-9-00 Owner-Gainsborough Stud; Trainer-Ed Dunlop; Jockey-Jamie Spencer; SP-11/2
3RD-Proclamation 4-9-00 Owner-Godolphin; Trainer-Saeed bin Suroor; Jockey-Frankie Dettori; SP-2/1
7 ran, Time-1m 40.0s, Dist: 1½, nk 7/4 Fav Peeress (4th)

2005-WINNER-VALIXIR 4-9-00 Owner-H H Aga Khan; Trainer-Andre Fabre FR; Jockey-Christophe Soumillon; SP-4/1
2ND-Rakti 6-9-00 Owner-Gary Tanaka; Trainer-Michael Jarvis; Jockey-Philip Robinson; SP-5/6 Fav
3RD-Starcraft 5-9-00 Owner-The Australian Syndicate; Trainer-Luca Cumani; Jockey-Darryll Holland; SP-7/1
10 ran, Time-1m 36.64s Dist: 1½, ½ (Run at York)

2004-WINNER-REFUSE TO BEND 4-9-00 Owner-Godolphin; Trainer-Saeed bin Suroor; Jockey-Frankie Dettori; SP-12/1
2ND-Soviet Song 4-8-11 Owner-Elite Racing Club; Trainer-James Fanshawe; Jockey-Johnny Murtagh; SP-6/1
3RD-Salselon 5-9-00 Owner-Scuderia Briantea Srl; Trainer-Luca Cumani; Jockey-Darryll Holland; SP-12/1
16 ran, Time-1m 39.14s Dist: nk, ¾ 5/2 Fav Six Perfections (6th)

2003-WINNER-DUBAI DESTINATION 4-9-00 Owner-Godolphin; Trainer-Saeed bin Suroor; Jockey-Frankie Dettori; SP-9/2
*2ND-Right Approach 4-9-00 Owner-The Queen; Trainer-Sir Michael Stoute; Jockey-Kieren Fallon; SP-20/1
3RD-Where Or When 4-9-00 Owner-John Humphreys (Turf Accountants Ltd); Trainer-Terry Mills; Jockey-Kevin Darley; SP- 8/1
10 ran, Time-1m 38.56s Dist: 4, ¾ 8/13 Fav Hawk Wing (7th)
*Tillerman originally finished second but was disqualified after failing a post-race urine test