Zahra’s one and out at 2025 Royal Ascot

While Mark Zahra usually trades saddles for sunshine in Ibiza during this time of year, a prized Group 1 opportunity at Royal Ascot has prompted a slight delay to his summer holiday. The Melbourne Cup-winning jockey will ride Docklands in the Group 1 Queen Anne Stakes (1600m) on Tuesday before switching into holiday mode.

Zahra departed Brisbane on Saturday night after riding at Eagle Farm, and though he left without a win, his attention is now firmly on making a memorable Royal Ascot debut aboard the OTI-owned five-year-old.

Docklands, trained by Harry Eustace, will be reunited with Zahra for the first time since the Group 1 Hong Kong Mile (1600m) last December, where they finished down the field. The entire has since bounced back with two solid placings, most recently finishing third in the Group 3 Diomed Stakes at Epsom on June 7.

“I’m happy with having the one ride – day one, race one then my holidays start,” Zahra said.

“I love Europe in the summer and I’ve actually been to Royal Ascot in the public to have fun.

“I’ve had a couple of opportunities but, to be honest, I’ve always been in Ibiza at the start of it so this time I planned it to go and take part in the race thanks to Harry Eustace and Terry Henderson.

“It gives me the opportunity to be there and ride in a group one. Then Ibiza will be after.”

Zahra believes Docklands is in top form heading into Tuesday’s feature and rates his chances highly based on his previous efforts at Ascot.

“This is a very good race,” Zahra said. “It is a good horses race and I think he is going as good as he ever has with both runs coming in being really good.

“I spoke to Harry and Terry and they’ve sent me videos and he looks fantastic. I think he’s had five runs at Ascot and never been further back than third.

“That is his track and he ran second in the race last year.”

For Zahra, the challenge of riding a straight mile will be a new experience and one he’s relishing.

“I’ve never ridden a straight mile which is different for an Australian jockey,” he said.

“It’ll be different, but it is a big beautiful track.”

Docklands is a $15 chance with online betting sites for the Queen Anne Stakes, while Rosallion—winner of the 2024 St James’s Palace Stakes—is the $3 favourite.

To bet on Docklands or any runner at Royal Ascot, visit the best betting sites Australia for the latest markets, specials, and expert racing insights.