-©PKMajeed.jpg)
By Sam Turner -
Majestic Dubai World Cup winner Dubai Millennium has confirmed his place among flat racing’s all-time greats by defying strong competition to gain entry into the QIPCO British Champions Series Hall of Fame.
Godolphin’s champion was only beaten once in 10 racecourse starts when he failed to stay the mile-and-a-half of the Derby trip and was otherwise flawless in his nine other races, winning them by a staggering aggregate of more than 47 lengths.
He concluded a stellar career with a sparkling eight-length victory in the G1 Prince of Wales’s Stakes at Royal Ascot, while his 1999 rout of his Dubai World Cup rivals clearly resonated with the voting public who inducted the ‘sire of sires’ to the Hall of Fame ahead of fellow Godolphin inmate Daylami, Giant’s Causeway and Montjeu.
Hugh Anderson, Managing Director (UK and Dubai) of Godolphin, commented: "Amongst many other outstanding contenders, Dubai Millennium occupies the unique position of being said to be His Highness Sheikh Mohammed's favourite racehorse.
“His career and his legacy shaped Godolphin and epitomised the spirit of Dubai. To win the Dubai World Cup, the race he was named for, in such a dominant manner was exceptional, as were his other victories at the very highest level including the Prince of Wales’s Stakes at Royal Ascot.
“23 years later, his presence lives on through his world-leading stallion son Dubawi and his many grandsons that have become such a powerful influence on the breed of the future.”
Rod Street, non-voting chair of the panel, said: “It’s been a closely run race this year in the public vote for the QIPCO British Champions Series Hall of Fame.
“All four of the candidates are Champions in their own right, but Dubai Millennium just pipped the rest to the most votes over the voting period. I look forward to welcoming the connections of the horse from Godolphin to celebrate his outstanding career.”
Dubai Millennium’s connections at Godolphin will receive a specially commissioned medal to mark the induction, which will be presented on QIPCO British Champions Day at Ascot on 19 October.
The Hall of Fame immortalises the Modern Greats of British Flat racing, both human and equine, from 1970 onwards.
