Dubai Millennium inducted into British Flat Racing’s Hall of Fame

Dubai Millennium, the greatest horse to wear the Godolphin silks, has been inducted into the QIPCO British Champions Series Hall of Fame.

The four-time G1 winner, whose only defeat in a brilliant career came when failing to stay a mile and a half in the Derby, triumphed over fellow Godolphin luminary Daylami, Giant’s Causeway and Montjeu following a public vote.

Born at Dalham Hall Stud in March, 1996, Dubai Millennium was given his name following an auspicious start to his training career for David Loder. The son of Seeking The Gold made a perfect introduction when winning by five lengths at Yarmouth in October, 1998.

Transferred to Godolphin and Saeed bin Suroor ahead of his three-year-old season, Dubai Millennium continued to impress with victories at Doncaster and Goodwood before fading to ninth in the Derby.

Dubai Millennium easily captured the Prix Eugene Adam and rounded off his campaign with two wins over a mile, following up an impressive display in the Prix Jacques Le Marois with a stunning six-length success in the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes.

The new millennium saw His Highness Sheikh Mohammed’s prescience come to fruition when Dubai Millennium won the 2000 Dubai World Cup in commanding style, breaking the Nad Al Sheba track record by nearly half a second as he coasted home to score by six lengths.

Dubai Millennium returned to turf for the Prince Of Wales’s Stakes at Royal Ascot and once again turned one of the world’s top races into a procession, this time beating Sumitas by eight lengths.

Injury prevented Dubai Millennium from racing again and he returned to Dalham Hall Stud to take up stallion duties. Tragedy followed in April, 2001, as Dubai Millennium contracted grass sickness and could not be saved, despite every effort from his expert veterinary team.

His legacy continues to shine brightly through his son Dubawi, the most successful sire ever to stand in Britain, and his grandsons Night Of Thunder, Too Darn Hot, Ghaiyyath, Modern Games, Naval Crown and Space Blues, who all stand as stallions under the Darley banner.

Dubai Millennium will be officially inducted into the Hall of Fame on British Champions Day in October at Ascot, the scene of his Queen Elizabeth II Stakes and Prince Of Wales’s Stakes victories.

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 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."