Dubai Millennium Honored in Qipco British Champions Series Hall of Fame

Saeed bin Suroor, the celebrated Godolphin trainer, has paid tribute to Dubai Millennium after the iconic racehorse was inducted into the Qipco British Champions Series Hall of Fame. Recognized for his remarkable versatility and dominance on both turf and dirt, Dubai Millennium joins an elite group of equine legends, further solidifying his legacy in the annals of horse racing history.

Dubai Millennium, originally named Yaazer and trained by David Loder before joining Bin Suroor’s stable, won nine of his ten career races, with his only defeat coming in the 1999 Epsom Derby where he finished ninth behind Oath. Despite that setback, Dubai Millennium went on to achieve extraordinary success, claiming prestigious victories in the Prix Jacques le Marois, Queen Elizabeth II Stakes, Dubai World Cup, and Prince of Wales’s Stakes.

His inclusion in the Hall of Fame follows a public vote, where he triumphed over other racing greats, including Daylami, Giant’s Causeway, and Montjeu. For Bin Suroor, this recognition is a fitting tribute to a horse that he considers one of the greatest of all time.

“All those four horses on the shortlist were superstars, everybody would know them worldwide, not just in the UK,” Bin Suroor said. “Dubai Millennium was special and the public obviously agree. We took him everywhere, he won a Dubai World Cup, in France and at Royal Ascot.”

Dubai Millennium's ability to excel on both turf and dirt, as highlighted by his record-breaking performance in the Dubai World Cup at Nad Al Sheba, set him apart from many of his contemporaries. “What he was able to do was unusual, winning on turf and dirt, not many have been able to do it at the highest level since,” Bin Suroor remarked.

The induction of Dubai Millennium into the Hall of Fame underscores the importance of such horses to the sport, according to Bin Suroor. “Horse racing needs horses like Dubai Millennium. It is 24 years now and no horse has done it since, that is why he was special. We are happy to win this award.”

The legacy of Dubai Millennium is further cemented by his success as a stallion, despite his tragically short stud career. He sired Dubawi, who has gone on to become one of the world’s leading sires, further testament to the enduring impact of Dubai Millennium on the racing world. “It shows how special he was to produce a horse like that from one crop,” Bin Suroor said, reflecting on the lasting influence of the great horse.

Dubai Millennium’s formal induction into the Hall of Fame will take place on Champions Day at Ascot on October 19, a fitting venue to honor a horse who left an indelible mark on the sport. The ceremony will celebrate not only his racing achievements but also his profound influence on future generations of racehorses.

For Bin Suroor and all who had the privilege of witnessing Dubai Millennium’s greatness, this accolade is a reminder of the horse’s extraordinary talent and the timeless legacy he leaves behind.