For Noel and Liam, read Harry and David.

Similarities between the Gallagher and Eustace brothers are thin on the ground overall but both sets of siblings are heading for a reunion and the one that involves racing rather than Oasis concerts peaks when Docklands contests the LONGINES Hong Kong Mile this Sunday.

But let’s start at the beginning with two young men who have international racing in their DNA.

Harry and David Eustace are sons of James Eustace, who saddled numerous big winners during a 30-year training career and took his crack sprinter War Artist to the Hong Kong Sprint in 2009.

Early days were spent learning from dad and hearing about uncle David Oughton, whose Hong Kong training career yielded Precision’s 2002 Hong Kong Cup and a famous Royal Ascot win for Cape Of Good Hope when the meeting was run at York in 2005.

The intense education continued with a host of top global trainers – David with Ciaron Maher and Harry with William Haggas among others– and recent results suggest it was time well spent.

Harry has saddled notable winners on both sides of the world from his Newmarket base since taking over from his father in 2021, while younger brother David has made a strong start in Hong Kong this season after capturing a host of major Aussie wins - headed by Gold Trip’s 2022 Melbourne Cup - in partnership with Maher.

David laughs off the Gallagher comparison before highlighting what makes Harry tick, while Harry reflects on parental influence before addressing his younger brother’s rapid rise.

“No doubt we had our moments as kids but we always looked out for each other and we both wanted to go down the training path from an early stage,” says Hong Kong’s newest handler.

“Harry has always been extremely determined – he loves to prove a point - and as a trainer he’s very patient with the ability to spot an opportunity well down the line.”

Meanwhile, Harry identifies two key factors that have propelled David forward.

“We fought occasionally, like all young brothers, but we were so lucky to be brought up by parents who taught us the importance of hard work and stressed that training racehorses is a marathon not a sprint,” he says.

“David’s work ethic is something to behold and training comes naturally to him. He has an instinct for making good decisions quickly and, when you couple that with his dedication, it makes for a potent mix that’s working impressively for him in Hong Kong.”

David points to Harry’s bold handling of Docklands as evidence of his vision and the globetrotting four-year-old has travelled from Britain to Australia then on to Sha Tin for a Hong Kong Mile clash with local hero Voyage Bubble, Japanese star Soul Rush and Aussie G1 winner Antino.

“Harry mentioned the Britannia Handicap as a target for Docklands when I was back home in January last year and winning that race with him against fierce competition at Royal Ascot six months later showed real foresight,” he adds.

“He did it again when he won the Bendigo Cup in Australia with Sea King recently and seeing your brother pull something like that off is probably even better than winning a big one yourself.”

Leading Aussie syndicate OTI Racing resisted several large offers for Docklands after his Ascot win and the decision has been rewarded with several high-class G1 efforts in 2024, including a clear second to Europe’s top miler Charyn in the Queen Anne Stakes at Royal Ascot and two honourable efforts Down Under.

“His last three runs have been behind City Of Troy and Via Sistina, who are currently the highest rated turf horses in the world, so he’s not had it easy,” adds Harry.

“But I think he’s shown enough to suggest he belongs at G1 level. I always thought he would stay well but he travelled so strongly over 2000m when fifth in the Cox Plate that returning to a mile at Sha Tin looks sensible.

“Mark Zahra rides and, with a decent draw, I hope he can be very competitive. I haven’t dared dream about winning but Docklands has taken us on a fantastic journey and having all the family there on my first visit to Hong Kong will make it even more special.”

James Eustace and his wife Gay were present to see David record his first Sha Tin winner when Silvery Breeze scored at 69-1 last month and bags are packed again to see Harry saddle Docklands this weekend.

Harry (left) and David as the kids.

“Gay and I have been living the dream in Australia and Hong Kong over the last six weeks,” says James.

“In some ways they are very different. David was precocious and Harry more measured when they were young but they both loved being around a racing yard and riding a great old pony called Mister Man on Newmarket Heath with the string.

“Being in the tack room with the jockeys and grooms also taught them a lot – including a few things young lads aren’t meant to know - but you can’t teach a good work ethic and that’s the one thing they both have in common.”

Eustace senior uses the memory of teaching his sons to drive to illustrate a key difference between them.

“Their last hurdle before the test was to drive me to Yarmouth races,” he adds. “Harry was so safe and smooth behind the wheel that I fell fast asleep, while David was full speed ahead right from the off and I was dripping with sweat by the time he got us there!

“But as parents, we couldn’t be prouder of what they’ve achieved since then. We were with some Aussie owners recently when they asked: ‘Which of your sons is the better trainer?’ I just said: ‘I don’t know – all I can tell you is they are both better than their father!’”

The latter is a typically modest comment from a man who encouraged his sons to go on an international tour long ago.

Harry and David operate Half the World Away from each other nowadays. But, unlike the battling Gallaghers, the Eustace brothers are singing from the same hymn sheet as their reunification approaches.