Competitiveness and success are deeply rooted in the Eustace family’s DNA and there is no doubt siblings Harry and David will be quietly trying to secure bragging rights at Sunday’s Longines Hong Kong International Races (HKIR).

While their father James, who enjoyed winners galore during a 30-year training career in England, and mother Gay watch on from the stands, the siblings will follow in the footsteps of family by saddling runners at Sha Tin’s marquee meeting.

Harry, 36, and David, 32, watched on as their father had a crack at the Group One Hong Kong Sprint (1,200m) with War Artist in 2009, finishing 12th, and uncle David Oughton celebrated success with Precision in the Group One Hong Kong Cup (2,000m) in 2002.

But on Sunday, it will be Harry hoping to etch his name onto the Group One Hong Kong Mile trophy with his top-class colt Docklands, while Sha Tin’s newest trainer, David, will look to continue his rapid start to life in the city with three runners on the undercard.

“If you said we’d both have runners on the Sunday of the international meeting in Hong Kong 18 months ago, I’m not sure anyone would have believed you,” Harry said when reflecting on their journey from youngsters at Park Lodge Stables to having representatives at Sha Tin’s biggest day.

“It’s very exciting for us. Dad had Royal Artist in the Sprint and David is over here now, so to have one of my own competing in Hong Kong is almost completing the square.”

Harry has enjoyed notable winners since taking over his father’s Newmarket base in 2021, including Docklands in the Britannia Stakes (1,600m) at Royal Ascot in June last year.

Docklands, who jumps from barrier two on Sunday, built on his promising three-year-old campaign last season with a career-best second in the Group One Queen Anne Stakes (1,600m) this June.

The son of Massaat was by no means disgraced behind City Of Troy on his next start in the Group One Juddmonte International Stakes (2,051m) before heading to Australia, where he finished down the field twice behind Via Sistina.

“He ran well but doesn’t stay [2,000m] well enough so I think the drop back to a mile is a positive and he’s a strong travelling horse, so the race could set up well for us,” Eustace said.

Harry arrived in Hong Kong a fortnight after Docklands touched down in Sha Tin on November 19 and said his brother offered valuable insight into the facilities and procedures at the racecourse.

“I spoke to David and sounded out what the training surfaces are like and how it’s all set up,” Harry said. “It’s handy having him here and he knows my staff well enough and they can ask him anything if need be.

“He was also actually offering lots of opinions on how to train the horse,” the eldest sibling added with a laugh.

David saddles three runners on Sunday’s undercard with Master Phoenix, Halo Of Success and Good Luck Babe aiming to continue the handler’s strong form.

While the younger sibling will only observe this year’s feature contests, Harry is certain he will be a strong force at HKIR for years to come.

“At the moment we’re bringing the bigger horse, but I have no doubt he’ll turn that around,” Harry said. “His work ethic is something to behold and it all just comes very naturally to him.”