Ones to Watch – UK

Tara Madgwick - Saturday May 13

OTI Racing colours were carried to victory overnight in the UK by a couple of lightly raced impressive three year-old winners and given the likelihood so many of their horses ultimately come and race in Australia we decided to take a closer look.

A half-brother to stakes-winner Harbour Views that has won over $500,000 in Australia for OTI, three year-old colt Docklands was a short priced favourite at Ascot for a mile handicap race and bolted in to win by six and a half lengths.

Advertisement

He’s now had two wins and two seconds from four starts for trainer Harry Eustace.

He was purchased for just 16,000 pounds from the Tattersalls Ireland September Yearling Sale and is from the first crop of young Teofilo stallion Massaat.

He is the fifth winner from unraced Mark of Esteem mare  Icky Woo, whose best offspring is US Group III winner Ickymasho in addition to Flemington stakes-winner Harbour Views.

OTI colours were in the frame on the earlier winner Banderas, a Lope de Vega colt that also started favourite at Chester and scored a strong maiden win at his fourth start after two minor placings this year.

“Banderas is a nice stayer for the future. He has a great temperament and a nice pedigree. There's a lot to like about him. He wants cut in the ground. We wouldn't run him on good to firm,” said his trainer Michael Bell.

Banderas was bought for 95,000 guineas from Tattersalls October Book 1 Yearling Sale from Ballylinch Stud, who retain a share in the ownership.

He is the second winner from stakes-winner Glamorous Approach, a three-quarter sister by New Approach to dual Group I winner Poetic Flare.

Advertisment
More Reading...
Farnan Half-Sister Bolts in at Warwick Farm
When a half-sister by Zoustar to Golden Slipper winner Farnan sells for just $250,000 at Inglis Easter you would be entitled to wonder what was wrong with her, but it turns out lack of size does not mean lack of ability.
Widden Parade Braves the Rain
Widden Stud’s annual series of stallion parades in the ‘Valley of Champions’ kicked off as scheduled on Thursday with the reigning Champion Australian Sire Zoustar the centre of attention, while the world’s fastest horse Cogburn (USA) also made his debut in Australia.
Sires With Winners - Wednesday August 20
Here is the full list of 35 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Yulong Head Entries for 2026 G1 Blue Diamond Stakes
The Melbourne Racing Club is pleased to confirm 1,456 nominations have been received for the 2026 edition of the $2 million Group 1 Sportsbet Blue Diamond Stakes (1200m), Victoria’s richest premier race for two-year-olds to be run on Saturday 21 February.  
Kia Ora Cancel Saturday Parade
It is with much regret that the management team at Kia Ora announce the cancellation of the Kia Ora Stallion Parade to be held on Saturday 23rd August 2025.
First Foal for Woodside Park Stud’s Benbatl
On our tour of the Victorian studs last week we visited Woodside Park Stud and while new recruit Celestial Legend was the star attraction it was hard not be impressed by Dubawi’s globe-trotting son Benbatl (GB), who has his first Australian bred foal on the ground.
First foal for Cambridge Stud's Chaldean
The first Southern Hemisphere bred foal by Cambridge Stud stallion Chaldean (GB) has hit the ground with a filly foal out of the winning Burgundy mare Top Note born at Pencarrow Stud.
Twain Chasing Family History
Twain will be out to replicate the deeds of his dam when he heads to Te Rapa on Saturday to contest the Gr.2 Waikato Stud Foxbridge Plate (1200m) at Te Rapa.
Feature Race Entries Running Today
The spring carnival is rapidly approaching and midweek metro meetings provide a fertile ground for new talent to emerge so let’s take a look at the runners at Warwick Farm and Sandown today that hold feature race entries.
G1 York International Delivers Nail Biting Spectacle
Last year the Group I Juddmonte International (1m2 ½ f) at York produced a virtuoso performance from City of Troy (USA), who will be paraded at Coolmore Australia this Sunday and the overnight renewal of the race produced a Pride of Jenni like spectacle before the favourite Ombudsman prevailed to win.