Hong Kong Sprint
Nuclear Debate's championship season began when he finished sixth behind Sampower Star in the Prix de Saint-Georges at Longchamp in May. A month later he started at odds of 7/1 for the Group Two Prix du Gros Chêne at Chantilly Racecourse. Ridden by Gérald Mossé he recorded his most important success up to that point as he caught the British challenger Watching in the final strides to win by a head. Two and a half weeks later Nuclear Debate was made a 16/1 outsider for the King's Stand Stakes (then a Group Two race) at Royal Ascot. Mosse restrained the gelding in the early stages before moving up to take the lead a furlong from the finish and win by one and a half lengths from the Japanese-trained Agnes World. In August Nuclear Debate was moved up to Group One class for the first time in the Nunthorpe Stakes over five furlongs at York. Starting the 5/2 favourite he won by one and a quarter lengths from Bertolini after taking the lead a furlong out. He was again sent to Sha Tin in December, and again finished unplaced in the Hong Kong Sprint.