Tag Archive for: Frankie Dettori

Frankie Dettori named after HMRC anonymity battle over ‘tax avoidance scheme’

Frankie Dettori has been involved in a legal battle with HMRC over his anonymity, after using a “tax avoidance scheme”, it can now be reported.

The jockey can be named after losing a challenge over his anonymity in proceedings at a specialist tax tribunal, after HMRC and the media, including the PA news agency, said he should be identified.

Dettori said on Monday that he had been told the structure he used was approved by HMRC, adding that new advisers “are working hard to unravel the mess that I have been put in”.

Frankie Dettori at Royal Ascot earlier this year
Frankie Dettori at Royal Ascot earlier this year (John Walton/PA)

After the lifting of his anonymity on Monday, the Italian said in a statement: “A few years ago I employed the services of professional specialist tax advisers to look after mine and my family’s financial affairs.

“A structure was created and I was told that it had been approved by HMRC.

“Years later HMRC is now challenging that structure. My former advisers have since been dismissed.

“My new advisers and management team are working hard to unravel the mess that I have been put in.

“They are also working closely with HMRC to resolve the matter as swiftly as possible.”

Frankie Dettori jumps off of King Of Steel after winning the 2023 Qipco Champion Stakes at Ascot
Frankie Dettori jumps off of King Of Steel after winning the 2023 Qipco Champion Stakes at Ascot (John Walton/PA)

In December 2022 Dettori announced he would bring the curtain down on his glittering riding career at the end of the following year.

However, 10 months later he reversed his decision, instead opting to relocate to America.

Dettori originally brought an appeal to the First Tier Tribunal against HMRC’s decision to deny him some deductions for income tax.

In 2019 he asked for his case to be paused and more than a year later asked not to be named and for his case to be heard in private.

A judge in 2021 said that the “preliminary matter” could be heard in private, while a different judge in 2022 ruled that Mr Dettori should be anonymised.

Frankie Dettori during a photocall at Southbank, London
Frankie Dettori during a photocall at Southbank, London (Zac Goodwin/PA)

HMRC brought a challenge and, in January this year, the more senior Upper Tribunal ruled there had been “material errors of law”, and overturned the decision to have some of the hearings in his case in private.

Dettori, 53, then made a bid to continue his anonymity, telling the tribunal that he was withdrawing the initial legal challenge over the tax deductions.

His lawyers argued that someone who has lost a bid to be kept anonymous should be able to withdraw their case without being named.

PA, the Times, the Sun and non-profit Tax Policy Associates, as well as HMRC, opposed the jockey’s anonymity, saying that not being named should be the exception and only when justified.

“The fact that the taxpayer may be in the public eye and may prefer the public not to know about his affairs does not justify the principle of open justice being restricted,” Hui Ling McCarthy KC, for HMRC, said in written submissions, describing the structure used as a “tax avoidance scheme”.

In a judgment in November, Mr Justice Miles and Judge Thomas Scott ruled in favour of the media and HMRC, and on Monday, Dettori was named in the ruling.

The judges said: “If one steps back it is clear that something has gone awry… (The Taxpayer) has obtained the benefit of privacy for all preliminary proceedings, without having produced any evidence of harm or prejudice, for an open-ended period, in a situation where, should he decide to withdraw or settle his appeal and not pursue the privacy and anonymity application, that benefit would not be reversible.”

They also said that it was “a blanket derogation from open justice by the backdoor”.

An HMRC spokesman said: “We welcome this decision, which represents an important win for the principle of open justice.

“We’re committed to ensuring everyone pays the right tax under the law, regardless of wealth or status.”



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Dettori and Gosden reunited with Emily Upjohn at Del Mar

Frankie Dettori was delighted to be reunited with Emily Upjohn at Del Mar on Wednesday and insisted it is “all systems go” ahead of the Breeders’ Cup Turf on Saturday.

The Italian steered John and Thady Gosden’s mare to two Group One victories before relocating to America, including her most recent triumph in last year’s Coronation Cup at Epsom.

Kieran Shoemark has been in the saddle for a series of consistent placed efforts this season, with Emily Upjohn chasing home subsequent Arc first and second Bluestocking and Aventure in the Prix Vermeille.

But Dettori’s vast experience of American racing prompted his Breeders’ Cup recall and the pair were back together again for a workout.

Emily Upjohn cantering under Frankie Dettori
Emily Upjohn cantering under Frankie Dettori (Neil Morrice/PA)

The 53-year-old said: “It’s a new challenge for me out here and I’m really enjoying it. It’s gone better than I thought, while being over 50 in America is well accepted – look at Mike Smith, he’s 58 and still going strong.

“My filly has been round Epsom and John decided to keep her going and she’s been super consistent.

“She’s had a good look around on the turf today and we’ll probably do a little bit more tomorrow and try to inject some speed into her, but she was very relaxed, that’s the good thing.

“Just looking at the new scenery for this morning was the most important thing.

“Today was just a very routine canter round – tomorrow, like I said, we’ll get her to go a bit faster, to get her leads correctly, use her left and her right, as you need to do on these tight tracks.

“But she seems in a good place with her mind and that’s the most important thing really at this stage.

“It’s nice to be back on her, we won a couple of Grade Ones together, just got pipped in the Oaks, she’s a super filly, she comes there with good credentials and she’s very honest in every race she has run in.

“It’s all systems go for Saturday, she’s travelled well and is in a good place.”

John Gosden said: “It’s great to be back in our old hunting ground. She had a leisurely look at the track this morning and will do a bit more tomorrow.

“The ground went against her a couple of times this year. There was a lot of rain in Ireland but she ran well in the Vermeille when it was soft.

Frankie Dettori was reunited with Emily Upjohn on Wednesday
Frankie Dettori was reunited with Emily Upjohn on Wednesday (Neil Morrice/PA)

“This is a very tight track with a very short straight but her first ever run was at Wolverhampton, so we know she can handle it, and I think she has a decent draw (stall two).

“The pace of the race is important. If they are walking, you want to be handy, while if they are trapping, you can sit on her, she’s versatile like that.

“Frankie is in very good form and enjoys it here. He was finding the day-to-day stuff in England too much. Jockeys don’t ride every day here and it’s not like the UK, where the workload on jockeys is much too hard.

“They can’t sweat (use saunas) at the races anymore and I feel they have a very tough time of it. It’s a much better lifestyle if you can get the rides out here.”

Reflecting on the decision to go up against the boys rather than stick with her own sex in the Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Turf, Gosden added: “This filly needs every inch of a mile and a half.

“The starting stalls are not too close to the home bend and her form going into the race is solid.

“There’s a good Japanese horse in the field and good horses from Ireland, but you have to play to your strengths and she’s a five-year-old filly getting 3lb.

“It’s the configuration of this track and the distance of the race that convinced us that we needed to be going for the Turf.”

Jayarebe winning at Royal Ascot
Jayarebe winning at Royal Ascot (David Davies/PA)

Among strong opposition to Emily Upjohn will be Brian Meehan’s Royal Ascot winner Jayarebe, who was last seen landing the Prix Dollar at the Arc meeting.

Meehan, who knows what it takes to win the Turf, having scored with Red Rocks (2006) and Dangerous Midge (2010), said: “Today was his first time on the track and there were moments when he was both high and relaxed.

“We deliberately got him out early when it wasn’t busy and he got to know his pony. The pony is strange to them initially and is a little bit of a challenge when he stays with them on the lead.

“We have 60 horses and trying to to play at the high level whenever we can. It’s a big testament to the yard that we have two runners and I think Kathmandu will go very well in the Goldikova (Stakes, on Saturday’s Breeders’ Cup undercard).

“She’s a beautiful filly and Group One class, it’s the right race for her.”



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Gosden opts for Breeders’ Cup Turf for Emily Upjohn – with Dettori booked

John Gosden has announced Frankie Dettori will ride Emily Upjohn at the Breeders’ Cup and that the mare will take on the boys in the Turf.

While the fact Gosden and Dettori teaming up again comes as little surprise given the Italian’s Breeders’ Cup record, Emily Upjohn switching targets has caused a ripple in the ante-post markets.

The Filly & Mare Turf was named as first preference for the five-year-old following the pre-entries earlier this week, but as Del Mar is notoriously a sharp turf track with a short straight, Gosden has decided to go for the longer option.

“It’s very simple, she is going to run in the Turf, Frankie is based in America, he’s ridden Del Mar hundreds of times, so to that extent it is very clear he will be riding the filly, he knows the filly and he knows the track,” Gosden told the Nick Luck Daily podcast.

Frankie Dettori has enjoyed some good days on Emily Upjohn
Frankie Dettori has enjoyed some good days on Emily Upjohn (Steve Paston/PA)

“Kieran (Shoemark) knows the filly, but has never really ridden much in America and certainly hasn’t ridden at Del Mar.

“You’ve got to remember about this track that it is built inside the old main Jimmy Durante turf course, it is the tightest and certainly has the shortest straight of any course I ever knew in America.

“When you straighten up you only have just over a furlong to run. It’s all about tactical position on a turning track, it’s not exactly a place you want to go unless you are fully aware of how it works and Kieran is fully understanding of that.

“We’re leaning towards the Turf because it’s a longer run to the first bend and she’s better at a mile and a half on the track.”



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King Of Steel retired to stud in Ireland

Last year’s Qipco Champion Stakes hero King Of Steel has been retired to stud.

The four-year-old provided Frankie Dettori with a perfect finale to his British riding career when storming to a three-quarter-length victory at Ascot after finishing second in the Derby and winning the King Edward VII Stakes earlier in the campaign.

King Of Steel subsequently contested the Breeders’ Cup Turf at Santa Anita, where he was beaten just under three lengths in fifth, but has not run this season after suffering a setback in May.

He was subsequently removed from the care of trainer Roger Varian and Kia Joorabchian, who owns the colt under his Amo Racing banner, has agreed a deal to stand the son of Wootton Bassett at Tally-Ho Stud in Ireland.

Joorabchian said: “King Of Steel has been an outstanding flagbearer for Amo Racing, perfectly exemplifying the ambitions of our operation.

“Last year’s Champions Day was one of the greatest moments in racing history, as we witnessed King Of Steel deliver a stunning performance for Frankie Dettori on his final ride at Ascot.

“I’ve never been more excited about a stallion, and I can’t wait to see his offspring excel.”

Dettori acknowledged the colt’s place in his affections, saying: “King Of Steel wrote an Ascot Champion Stakes finale that not even Steven Spielberg could have imagined.

“It was one of the most memorable moments of my racing career. King Of Steel excelled and gave me the perfect Ascot finale.

“I have no doubt he’ll become a stallion to be reckoned with, and I’m deeply grateful to him for helping me close my Ascot career in such an incredible way.”



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Dettori teaming up with Kikkuli at Keeneland on Saturday

Frankie Dettori will don the Juddmonte silks aboard Kikkuli on Saturday when the colt takes aim at the Coolmore Turf Mile Stakes at Keeneland.

Trained by Harry Charlton, the son of Kingman – who is a half-brother to the all-conquering Frankel – has acquitted himself well this season, rattling the crossbar at Royal Ascot when runner-up in the Jersey Stakes.

Last seen involved in a blanket finish to the Hungerford Stakes at Newbury, connections have been forced to look overseas for his preferred going with conditions turning easy on home soil.

Kikkuli is a half-brother to Frankel
Kikkuli is a half-brother to Frankel (Bradley Collyer/PA)

But that has presented the three-year-old with the perfect opportunity to play himself into Breeders’ Cup contention with a pleasing display Stateside.

“The ground has gone a bit for him in Britain and his career-best has come on fast ground at Royal Ascot,” said Barry Mahon, European racing manager for owners Juddmonte.

“The ground is basically soft everywhere here at the moment, so this race presented in Keeneland and it looks a nice opportunity.

“The race is a ‘win and you’re in’ for the Breeders’ Cup so we just thought if he was to run well and is lucky enough to win it we could give the Breeders’ Cup a tilt and if not he will come back to Harry and be a nice horse to look forward to for next year.”

Jockey Frankie Dettori in the colours of Kikkuli's owner Juddmonte
Jockey Frankie Dettori in the colours of Kikkuli’s owner Juddmonte (Danny Lawson/PA)

Amongst the opposition is Aidan O’Brien’s Mountain Bear, while Chad Brown’s Fourstardave winner Carl Spackler appears to set the standard of the home contingent.

However, Kikkuli will have the assistance of someone who is no stranger to wearing the famous Juddmonte colours in victory as Dettori returns to action following a shoulder injury.

“It looks a deep race and Carl Spackler and one or two others look exceptional turf horses in America, but Kikkuli is in great form and has travelled over well,” continued Mahon.

“Harry is really happy with him and Frankie is booked to ride him. He knows a thing or two about winning in those colours, so hopefully he can replicate some of those successes.”



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Monday Musings: Joe Lee

A week short of 30 years ago I was in New York, staying at the late Virginia Kraft Payson’s rather large house (since sadly demolished) at Sands Point, Long Island, writes Tony Stafford. I’d arranged to meet Bjorn Neilsen – bet he doesn’t think it was that long ago! – at his offices in Wall Street.

He had a very friendly receptionist whose name I cannot recall, who whenever I did try to contact him, always reminded me that she thought my accent was identical to that of Robin Leach who fronted a television show for almost ten years called ‘Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous’.

Leach, a Londoner, worked on the Daily Mail’s Front-Page team at age 18, before emigrating to the US. He died in Las Vegas four years ago after a very successful TV career.

When I arrived at Bjorn’s offices, having never met the receptionist before, I started: “I’m….” but before I could get another word out, she said, “Hello Mr Stafford, Mr Neilsen is waiting for you.”

After some chitchat, we retired to a nearby deli where the sandwiches were around five inches high. I had intended going on to Belmont Park for the races that afternoon and Bjorn suggested if I went to Grand Central station, I could get the race special.

When I got there, I discovered the specials had finished and I was recommended to go to Jamaica station and take a taxi from there. I remember crossing the busy road to a drab cab rank and was welcomed into the first one by a genial Asian gentleman who waited for me to state my destination.

“Belmont Park, please,” I asked. “Balma?” he replied, but I thought what the hell and as I was short of time, persevered as we moved along. “Balma?” he said once more. I knew the reputation of many New York taxi drivers not having more than a rudimentary understanding of any form of English, let alone the Cockney version, but he was my best bet.

Suddenly on the left-hand side, a green space loomed. He turned in his seat and said, triumphantly; “Park!” Now I was in dread of what might become of me but was soon reassured to see a line of local women on our side of the road standing at a bus stop.

I managed to get my, I must say, very friendly driver to stop alongside it and opening the door, called out to nobody in particular, “Does anyone know Belmont Park?” Eventually a nice lady possibly in her 40’s said. “I do. If you like, I’ll get in and direct the driver most of the way. Then, I must get out close to where I live, but I’ll tell you where he needs to go from there.”

The lady, called Mrs Lee, explained she was among the 75,000 crowd for the visit of Pope John Paul II to Aqueduct racecourse – the one closer to the city – that October 6, 1995.

She started by saying she probably shouldn’t have got into a cab with a stranger. She had lived nearby as a girl, but the area had become much more dangerous, and a woman had been raped right on the spot where the bus stop was, only a few days before.

She excused her rash reaction by saying someone in racing ought to be safe and that her son was in the sport and worked for Godolphin, asking if I had heard of them.

She said that his name is Joe Lee, and he was in Dubai all the previous winter and would be going out there once more that year.

On the day the National Lottery first began, Saturday 19th November 1994, my son had also made his way from the UK for a six-month stint working in Sheikh Mohammed’s sports club mainly to teach his sons the elements of football, cricket, tennis and the like. He’d just left school and was embarking on what turned out to be a gap year.

He was housed in the same apartment block as many of the work riders, including that year Johnny Murtagh, Vince (now Victoria) Smith and, as I was to find out when I called my son later, Joe Lee.

Joe was a good friend, according to his mother, of Jeremy Noseda. This was the year before the famous Frankie Dettori seven out of seven wins at Ascot on its championship Saturday late September card. I had worked with him that year, helping him with his “A Year in the Life of Frankie Dettori” book, which needed an extra chapter when the copy was already all in type. My entire family was at the launch.

Frankie finished his stellar UK riding career last year but has since enjoyed a second blooming (and some hefty prizemoney percentages) across the pond. These have been temporarily curtailed with an injured shoulder sustained in the stalls at perhaps coincidentally, Aqueduct racecourse two weeks ago.

Time is money these days. One of his most lucrative wins of late was in a Listed fillies’ 2yo race at Kentucky Downs. The winner, May Day Ready, is a daughter of Tapit and Nemoralia, which Dettori rode to the first three of her four career wins when trained by Noseda. Her owners were Peter Brant and Joseph Allen. Brant bred May Day Ready, who has been sold twice, first for only $60k and then as a two-year-old at the Ocala, Florida 2yo sale for $325k to the syndicate which races her now.

May Day Ready won her maiden (and $43k) at Saratoga with Dettori on board, as he was when she cleaned up the $463k when winning a Listed race at Kentucky Downs this month. Jacqui Doyle, freshly back from her four-year stint in the US, told me at Newmarket on Saturday that winning jockeys can expect a ten per cent share. So May Day Ready has already earned the itinerant Italian 50 grand. Quite right too, with a fortnight’s not earning to make up for!

And the point of all this? May Day Ready is one of a small team trained by the same Joe Lee. If someone who knows his very nice mum ever reads this, maybe they could pass on my thanks for that moment of Divine, or at least Papal, Intervention, and congratulate her on her son’s great success all these years later.

Frankie was due to end his absence by riding her on Sunday evening at Santa Anita in the Grade 2 Miss Grillo Stakes which is a “Win And You’re In” qualification for the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies’ Turf race at Del Mar in early November. However, the weather intervened and the Miss Grillo is now scheduled for next Sunday, October 6th; what a day of international racing that promises to be.

Jacqui says that daughter Sophie is back riding winners in her adopted country while son James isn’t doing too shabbily as first rider for Wathnan Racing back here. She also stated that the maidens at River Downs carry $43,000 for the winner, and just couldn’t comprehend the prizes of barely £4k for 2yo maidens at Newmarket on Saturdays. But then who can?

Despite our relatively poor money levels, Aidan O’Brien is already past £7.5 million in UK earnings and he had another memorable afternoon when Lake Victoria ran home an exceptional winner of the Cheveley Park Stakes.

All three of her previous wins had been over seven furlongs, so reverting to a furlong shorter for this Group 1 might have seemed over-ambitious, but Ryan Moore never had a moment’s doubt about the daughter of Frankel’s speed.

Taking her to the front after a few yards, she made all the running, at around 40/41 mph in the first half of the race, then drew away at the finish. She did slow a little but not as much as all her rivals. She was faster than the winner of the earlier Middle Park Stakes too.

That winner, Wimbledon Hawkeye, was a clear example of the emerging talent of his youthful trainer James Owen. James Doyle, riding for 92-year-old Bill Gredley, could have a potential Classic candidate here assuming he’s not required to ride for Wathnan. Then again, maybe Wathnan might enquire to Gredley about the colt’s availability.

- TS

 



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Dettori suffers shoulder injury in Aqueduct spill

Frankie Dettori suffered a dislocated shoulder in a starting stalls incident at Aqueduct on Thursday.

Riding Pretty Liza in the ninth race at the New York track, Dettori was unshipped by the Rudy Rodriguez-trained filly at the start.

Dettori was taken to Jamaica Hospital for treatment, with the rider confirming on Friday morning that he had injured his shoulder.

In a post on X, he said: “I appreciate all the messages. I’m doing OK! I dislocated my right shoulder – my team here in the hospital have put it back together.”

Dettori made the move to America at the end of last year after reversing his decision to retire from the saddle.



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Monday Musings: The Jugglers

The second Saturday in September illustrated how trainers and jockeys’ agents need to be expert jugglers at this time of year, writes Tony Stafford. We had the Irish Champion Stakes, worth a total €£1.15 million (€712k to the winner) and the Betfred St Leger, £830k and £421k to the winner, yet three UK champion jockeys were riding more than 3,000 miles away from either venue.

The trio - Oisin Murphy, William Buick and Frankie Dettori - all lined up in the Grade 1 Natalma Stakes for 2yo fillies over a mile and worth £177k at the Woodbine racetrack in Toronto, Canada. Buick was on the 4/5 favourite for Godolphin and Charlie Appleby, the dual early-season winner Mountain Breeze, but she could only manage eighth place.

Ahead of her were Murphy, fifth on 65/1 shot Ready To Battle, for dominant local trainer Mark Casse despite being the outsider of his trio; and Dettori was one place behind on the Christophe Clement filly Annascaul, the race second favourite.

He was the only one of our itinerant trio to have a ride in the next Graded race, the Ontario Matron (G3) on the Tapeta track. He finished fourth for Casse who again had three runners without securing the win.

Only five turned up for the E P Taylor Stakes for fillies and mares, run on the turf track. In the past the E P Taylor was a frequent target for UK and especially French runners. It honours the Canadian breeder Eddie Taylor. He stood Kentucky Derby and Preakness winner Northern Dancer, the stallion who first tickled the fancy of Vincent O’Brien and led, with Robert Sangster and John Magnier’s help, to the legacy of Sadler’s Wells and, through him, to his even more influential son Galileo.

This year, the E P Taylor was a tame affair considering there was £266k for the winner. Oisin got a ride here but could do no better than fourth of five on Blush for French-based trainer Carlos Laffon-Parias. All three of the visiting riders had been previous winners of the race.

Charlie Appleby and Andrew Balding staged a rematch from a Listed race on King George Day at Ascot in July, with Al Qudra, the winner of that race for Charlie and Will, going into the bet365 <they get in everywhere!> Summer Plate over a mile on the turf as favourite, having beaten New Century by just over two lengths then.

Here Oisin turned the form around on identical terms, winning by one and a quarter lengths from Al Qudra in another Grade 1 again worth £177k, as with the juvenile fillies earlier. The share of the spoils made Oisin’s awayday worthwhile and even in defeat Buick got his mitts on a portion of the 60 grand for second.

The principal reason for the Appleby/Godolphin attack was presumably the featured Rogers Woodbine Mile, with a hefty £355,000 to the winner. The Buick mount, Naval Power, was the 11/20 favourite but finished only fourth to a couple of Mark Casse runners, siphoning up between them a good deal more than half a million Canadian bucks. Naval Power had been a very close second on his previous start when Dettori had the mount in a valuable supporting race on Kentucky Derby Day at Churchill Downs in early May.

If you feel sorry for Frankie, the pensioner (in jockey terms) started out the previous weekend looking forward to a hatful of Aidan O’Brien mounts at Kentucky Downs, but only Greenfinch, who finished fourth, ran, the others being withdrawn. But then, a week yesterday at the same track, May Day Ready won a £483k first prize and that was supplemented by a double at the same track on Wednesday. Dettori won the £238k Gold Cup with Limited Liability and then the Dueling Grounds Oaks Invitational with Kathymarissa and another £720k.

His win prizes amounted to £1,323,000 over the week. No wonder he loves being in the US!

What did they miss while waiting for Saturday in Canada? At Doncaster there was an eighth St Leger win for Aidan O’Brien as the inexperienced and in some ways still green Jan Bruegel edged out Illinois in a thrilling tussle up the Doncaster straight. Both colts are by Galileo and at the final opportunity, his sons dominated yet another English Classic.

Impossible to separate in the market, it looked like a potential dead-heat in the race until Sean Levey, who started out life as an O’Brien apprentice before relocating to the UK, forced his mount’s head in front close to the line.

Behind in third and fourth, also locked together, were Deira Mile and Sunway who crossed the line only a nose apart. I thought it a mealy-mouthed decision by the stewards to turn the form around, denying Deira Mile’s ever-adventurous Ahmed Al Sheikh of Green Team Racing another placed run in the English Classics of which he is so enamoured.

Bay City Roller was a good winner of the Champagne Stakes that opened the card, but it might have been a different story had not Chancellor prematurely burst out of the gate. The Gosden colt, a smart scorer at the track last time, was third at Ascot in the race where Al Qudra beat New Century.

The raft of unlikely horse/trainer/jockey partnerships on this unusual day continued in the Portland Handicap, one of my favourite races with its intermediate sprint distance of around five and a half furlongs.

Here, the unluckiest horse in training, Peter Charalambous’s Apollo One, got the services of no less a partner than Christophe Soumillon. The Belgian, a multiple champion jockey in France, had just got his mount’s brave head in front of a gaggle of horses on the far side when the favourite American Affair flew down under the stands rail under Paul Mulrennan to beat him by a nose.

It was a notable win for Jim Goldie and, given the way he finished on Saturday, the Ayr Gold Cup in five days’ time must have its appeal. Peter Charalambous is adamant he would never ask Apollo One to run in the likely soft ground at Ayr, but it would be nice to think he would win a big sprint handicap before too long.

Over the past two seasons he has finished second in four big sprints, the Wokingham and Stewards’ Cup last year and the Stewards’ Cup and Portland in 2024. His total losing distance is barely two and a half lengths in those races.

Irish Champions Weekend featured a fine return to form by the slightly unpredictable but undeniably ultra-talented Auguste Rodin. He ran a great race in the Irish Champion Stakes but just failed to cope with the tenacious favourite Economics.

It had been a brave decision by William Haggas to resist running his colt in the Derby after his sensational <I use the word advisedly> Dante Stakes romp at York and, nicely rested, Haggas had given him an ideal warm-up run at Deauville last month for his main target here.

Economics came from some way back, as did Auguste Rodin. Tom Marquand sent his mount into the lead halfway up the short Leopardstown straight, when it appeared that Ryan Moore on the dual Derby winner was going marginally the easier, even getting his head in front in the last hundred yards. Economics, to his credit, pulled out extra and, despite battling all the way to the line, Auguste Rodin had to be content with an honourable second place.

The path for both horses is set in stone. Economics will now go to the Qipco Champion Stakes for what will be only his sixth career start. Auguste Rodin has the Breeders’ Cup Turf, which he won last year, as his autumn objective.

Just behind in third and fourth were the Japanese horse Shin Emperor, who should make a bold attempt at being the first from Japan to win the Prix de L’Arc de Triomphe, and fast-finishing Los Angeles, who probably would have fully extended his two stablemates at Doncaster.

His range of entries, from the Champion Stakes (ten furlongs) at Ascot to the British Champion Long Distance Cup (two miles) the same day and, a fortnight earlier, the Arc over one mile and a half reflect his untapped potential and versatility. I’d go the stayers’ route if he were mine – wishful thinking in the extreme!

Yesterday, Messrs Buick and Murphy made it back to the Curragh for the second day of the Irish Champions Weekend. They might not have won as they rode respectively Vauban and Giavellotto into second and third in the Irish St Leger, but at least they got a close-up view of the remarkable Kyprios.

Aidan O'Brien's six-year-old entire was taking his earnings past £2 million with an authoritative performance under Ryan Moore. It was Kyprios' 13th win in 17 career starts. After last year's injury problems and a curtailed season of only two second places, he has now repeated the same first five victories of his unbeaten four-year-old campaign and in the same  races.

That year (2022) he ended the season with victory in the Prix Du Cadran over two and a half miles - by twenty lengths! If he goes there and wins in three weeks it would be a double unbeaten six-timer, four of them at Group 1 level, surely a record, and one that will be exceptionally difficult to match in the future. He deserves to be regarded as at least the equal of Yeats as a stayer. Many will think him superior.

- TS



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Bellum Justum to continue his international exploits

Further international options will be explored with Bellum Justum following his lucrative success in America last weekend under Frankie Dettori.

Winner of the Blue Riband Trial at Epsom on his three-year-old debut, Andrew Balding’s colt went on to finish seventh in the Derby before being placed in the Hampton Court at Royal Ascot and the Gordon Stakes at Goodwood.

On the strength of those efforts, the Sea The Stars colt headed across the Atlantic as a major contender for the Nashville Derby and duly delivered, claiming over £800,000 in prize-money for owners King Power Racing with a comprehensive victory at Kentucky Downs.

“We felt we were probably better than the American horses, but without an actual line through the form, you never quite know and things often go wrong when you travel,” said King Power’s racing manager Alastair Donald.

“Thankfully, all went smoothly, apart from being a bit slowly away, and Frankie is pretty reliable in those big races. He got a good position and we knew there was a good chance that we’d be able to outstay the others.

“It was nice that a good plan paid off for massive money. I think there are only two races in Europe that he could have won that are worth more and they’re the Arc and the Derby! I’m sure there’ll be a lot more horses travelling next year, put it that way.”

Considering future plans, Donald added: “He’s had a busy season, as he obviously had a Derby campaign, so he’s been on the go quite a long time.

“He likes quick ground, so we’ll probably give him a bit of a break and we might consider some Middle Eastern options in January/February.

“It was just a shame he wasn’t quite right in the Derby, he definitely ran below-par there, but he’s a tough, admirable horse who we think will be even better at four.

“I think there’ll be more fun and big prizes in him, but he’s probably a horse who is going to thrive with travelling – given he likes fast ground and running over a mile and a quarter and a mile and a half gives him lots of options.”



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Distance runner gets up late for thrilling King George V win

Going The Distance came from the clouds to grab victory in a thrilling renewal of the King George V Stakes at Royal Ascot.

A field of 19 runners went to post for the mile-and-a-half contest, with much of the pre-race focus on Gilded Water, who was the 5-1 favourite to provide trainer William Haggas, jockey Tom Marquand and the King and Queen with back-to-back victories following Desert Hero’s memorable success 12 months ago.

Going The Distance, who won his last two starts of last season and his first of this, was a 9-1 shot for Ralph Beckett and had only Neski Sherelski behind him rounding the home turn.

Both horses made up from hand over fist in the straight and it was Going The Distance who finished just the best down the outside of runners to beat Neski Sherelski by half a length in the hands of Rossa Ryan. Gilded Water was a well-beaten 12th.

Winning owner Marc Chan said: “We have won in Ascot before, but Royal Ascot is such a difficult meeting to win at and I’m over the moon about this. This is right up there with my best achievements as an owner.”

Frankie Dettori (second left) getting in on the celebrations
Frankie Dettori (second left) getting in on the celebrations (David Davies/PA)

Chan’s good friend is a certain Frankie Dettori, absent from the saddle this week having said farewell to Britain on Champions Day.

He said: “Marc is a good friend of mine, we have just had lunch together and I said I would come to the paddock to support him.

“What a nice man he is and I had so much success for him. Unfortunately I could not win for him at Royal Ascot, but I’m so delighted for him, he’s put so much into the sport.

“I wish my saddle was here all week, but I can’t go back on what I said. I’ve tried to enjoy it and it has been hard work to be honest with you because I’m not used to the eating and drinking and the socialising and pictures and photographs. Everyone has been so kind, but it has been great.”

Beckett admitted the winner had been something of a long-term project.

“This was a bit of a plot, when he won around Kempton in April I think he was our only winner in April. He got four or five pounds for winning there and it just fitted like a glove,” he said.

“We’ll see what the handicapper does next, he’s certainly bred to get a bit further and I wouldn’t mind thinking of that as well. We’ll enjoy today, today was the plan.”

Mickley provided trainer Ed Bethell and jockey Callum Rodriguez with a first Royal Ascot success after completing his hat-trick in the Britannia Stakes.

Mickley and Callum Rodriguez impressed in the Britannia Stakes
Mickley and Callum Rodriguez impressed in the Britannia Stakes (David Davies/PA)

A winner at Southwell and Doncaster earlier in the year, the three-year-old was among the market principals at 15-2 and after being held up in the middle of three groups of runners, he displayed a smart change of gear to grab the lead.

Skukuza came from out of the pack in an attempt to reel him in, but Mickley was well on top as he passed the post three-quarters of a length clear.

Bethell, who earlier in the week saddled his Sprint Cup hero Regional to finish second in the King Charles III Stakes, said: “It’s a great feeling. I’m just delighted for everyone at home.

“Barry, who has led him up and rides him every day, he’s done a tremendous job on the horse, and Callum got down to a very low weight (8st 11lb), which he never normally does. That took a big effort from him but he had confidence in the horse, so we wanted to keep them together.

“He’s an interesting horse. He does absolutely nothing at home, so I couldn’t tell you where the limit is. He’s got size and scope and he looks the ideal horse to go out to Hong Kong now.

“It is like winning the lottery this race, you can never be confident, so it’s a great day for the whole yard. We are a young team and we’re only just getting started.”

Rodriguez added: “I’m over the moon – it’s the stuff of dreams. We went so close earlier in the week and I’m so glad to get it done.

“It was very smooth for me. I was pretty confident in this horse’s ability and I just wanted to keep it as smooth as possible.

“We got a good run and he was a lot more streetwise today than in his first four starts, so I’m very pleased.”

Wathnan racing, successful earlier in the afternoon with Shareholder in the Norfolk Stakes, doubled up and made it three for the week when English Oak (100-30 favourite) ran away with the Buckingham Palace Stakes.

Up 9lb for a Haydock win before Wathnan bought him, Ed Walker’s four-year-old sprinted clear to prevail by three lengths from Billyjoh.

Walker said: “We believed for a long time he was very good and last year he just wasn’t getting things right in his races. He just wasn’t behaving and getting a bit upset in the stalls.

“Fair play to everyone at home, they’ve all done such a good job and a big thank you to Dave and Sue Ward who owned him up until a few weeks ago, they’ve been huge supporters of my yard and had Starman and have done wonders for my career.

James Doyle aboard English Oak after winning the Buckingham Palace Stakes
James Doyle aboard English Oak after winning the Buckingham Palace Stakes (David Davies/PA)

“Richard Brown (of Wathnan) and I go back a long way and when he asked if I could recommend this horse, you shoot from the hip and I wear my heart on my sleeve, and I’m just glad it paid off.

“It was a very tough decision for Dave and Sue and they love their horses. I think it will be bittersweet for them, but they are big into their breeding now and have Starman to support and are increasing their broodmare band – and getting money in makes it work.

“I’ve been banging on about Ascot since he crossed the line here last autumn behind Rohaan, targeting this race or the Wokingham. After his performance at Haydock, the Buckingham Palace was the obvious target.

“It’s been a long plan and there’s been a change of silks, but it’s been great.”



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Dettori embracing spectator view on his Royal Ascot return

Some would say it is not Royal Ascot without Frankie Dettori and the mercurial Italian could not resist a visit to his favourite sporting home despite keeping the promise he made to the racing public when riding into the sunset in October.

Dettori is one of Ascot’s favourite sons and the man who made history with his ‘Magnificent Seven’ in 1996, but he waved farewell to the country he had called home after a Hollywood ending aboard King Of Steel on British Champions Day.

It is somewhat fitting that the man whose career read like a blockbuster movie made in California now has the American west coast as his home, postponing initial retirement plans to enjoy his twilight years in the heat and dirt of Stateside racing.

However, the perfect timing of his daughter Ella’s marriage seamlessly dovetailed with the Royal meeting, allowing the 53-year-old to make the pilgrimage to the place he has enjoyed so many historic days in the saddle.

Dettori said: “It’s been a whirlwind week, and with flying in for the wedding, I managed to persuade my manager to give me two weeks off, but he wants me straight back because there are so many big races in America at the moment.

“It’s so different in America and has been a nice challenge and so far it is going well. It’s been good to me and I’m enjoying it and touch wood it is going well. I hope I continue enjoying it and it is going better than expected.

“It’s nice to be back and it’s a different feel, usually I’m stressed, but now I’m relaxed and among good old friends, my old valets and the jockeys. I’m able to relax.

“It’s been great to reminisce over the great days I’ve had here over the last 37 years.”

Dettori admits he was not short of offers to grace the Ascot turf on horseback once again, but keen to honour the pact he had made when making his swansong journey to the US, he agreed to leave his kitbag at home ahead of this whistlestop tour of the UK.

He continued: “It’s different being here and not riding and I don’t have the stress that I would usually have. A little bit of my heart wishes I was riding, but I promised the British public I would retire last October.

“I’ve had lots of offers of course and the temptation was there and in my heart I would love to be out there. But I’ve stuck to my word and I’m here as a spectator.

“I had an amazing day last year in October on my final day winning the Champion Stakes and I don’t know if I can top that.

“It’s nice to be here and see some old friends and really enjoy it without all the stress. There’s some great racing this week and I know some of the old horses, but some of the young ones I don’t know so much. It’s a chance for me to enjoy my sport.”

Frankie Dettori celebrates winning the final ride of his career in Britain at Ascot
Dettori celebrated with victory on his final ride in Britain at Ascot last October (John Walton/PA)

Ryan Moore is rapidly baring down on Dettori’s 81 Royal Ascot winners, but for now he clings on to the mantle of the summer showpiece’s leading rider.

That journey began back in 1990 aboard Luca Cumani’s Markofdistinction in the Queen Anne and culminated in a four-timer during his final Royal Ascot 12 months ago when he registered his ninth Gold Cup aboard Wathnan Racing’s Courage Mon Ami for long-time training allies John and Thady Gosden.

That victory in the week’s feature race was the highlight of his farewell at Ascot’s highest-profile event and when asked about his standout moments from his many years riding at the meeting, he added: “I would say Markofdistinction my first winner, I was just a kid and it meant so much and I had my parents here.

“I won nine Gold Cups and they are all special and my first one was presented by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II and last year was the first time the trophy was presented by the King – it was different, but also amazing.”

While set to cast a keen eye on the action on track over the next five days, Dettori is also closely following Euro 2024 in Germany.

King Charles congratulates Frankie Dettori on his 2023 Gold Cup success at Royal Ascot
Dettori won the last of his nine Gold Cups in last year’s renewal (David Davies/PA)

Although his beloved Arsenal may have suffered last-day disappointment in the Premier League, he has high hopes for his native Italy retaining their trophy having begun the month-long football festival with a 2-1 victory over Albania.

“My money is on Italy of course,” said Dettori.

“I thought England made a great start, but then wobbled a bit in the second half, whereas Italy was the other way round, they finished very strong.

“Thursday will be great as both England and Italy are playing and it will be a good day to watch sport.”

Always the showman, Dettori signed off by teasing that one of his famous flying dismounts may not be a thing of the past to his adoring Ascot crowd.

Although on the sidelines this year, he refused to rule out a spectacular return in the future, and when asked about returning his saddle to the Royal Ascot weighing room said: “Not at the moment, but never say never.”



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Shoemark hoping to start high-profile week with Queen Anne glory for Inspiral

With big shoes to fill next week, Kieran Shoemark is hoping to get off to the perfect start at Royal Ascot with Inspiral in the Queen Anne.

The John and Thady Gosden-trained five-year-old is a general 3-1 favourite for the opening contest of the showpiece meeting, and Shoemark – who has taken over as number one rider at the powerful Gosden yard from Frankie Dettori – is hopeful she will come on from her run in the Lockinge Stakes last month.

Sent off the 2-1 market leader at Newbury, the Cheveley Park Stud-owned mare had to settle for fourth place, four and a half lengths behind stablemate Audience, who made all for a surprise victory in the mile feature.

Inspiral came home fourth in the Lockinge
Inspiral came home fourth in the Lockinge (John Walton/PA)

Shoemark felt Inspiral needed that run and can give a better account of herself at Ascot, in a race she finished second in last year.

The 27-year-old is preparing for the busiest Royal Ascot of his career having taken over as stable jockey from Dettori, but is refusing to set any targets for himself over the week.

Speaking to BoyleSports, Shoemark said: “The biggest and the busiest (Royal Ascot) for me, that is fair to say.

“Over the five days I will be looking at between 15 and 20 rides and some high-profile ones among them.

Inspiral won the Coronation Stakes at Royal Ascot under Dettori in 2022
Inspiral won the Coronation Stakes at Royal Ascot under Dettori in 2022 (David Davies/PA)

“Inspiral in the Queen Anne is one. She had a fantastic year last year, capping it off at the Breeders’ Cup. She returned in the Lockinge and needed the run, maybe more so than we anticipated. She has been in great order since.

“Theory Of Tides – I think he’ll run in the King Edward. Emily Upjohn has a couple of entries in the Prince of Wales’s and in the Hardwicke. Eben Shaddad had some nice juvenile form and ran well in the French Guineas I thought, and he will run in the Jersey Stakes. Jack Darcy could run in the Wolverton.

“I will take it day by day – I don’t have a target in mind. At the moment all I am thinking about is winning the Queen Anne as that would be a great way to kick off. I have only ever had one winner at Royal Ascot so I can’t be going there thinking about targets.”

Shoemark does not feel overwhelmed by the task of replacing Dettori at one of the biggest operations in racing, and says he has benefited from advice from the Italian.

He said: “Frankie was on his farewell tour (last year) and I was asked to come in and ride out and it propelled from there. I started riding a few and Frankie decided in his last year he didn’t want to ride any two-year-olds, so I did some maidens and novice races in his place and it went from there.

“It wasn’t daunting really because it was a gradual transition. Frankie was very much still around – I was just going in and riding when I was needed. I was still riding for Charlie Hills, but there was no real pressure.

“I am there to do a job for John and Thady. I don’t look at it as if I am replacing Frankie Dettori, because I can’t. I know he was associated with Clarehaven for many years and if I did look at it like that, then it could have been very daunting.

“It is one of the biggest jobs in racing. John and Thady were champion trainers last year. It is a huge opportunity and one I am going to grab with both hands.

Frankie Dettori has been the king of Royal Ascot
Frankie Dettori has been the king of Royal Ascot (John Walton/PA)

“I look forward to what is to come. It is fair to say it has been a little bit of a steady start, but we are still early into the season and hopefully we have some nice horses to appear very soon.”

He added of Dettori: “He has been so helpful. I speak to him often in America, I give him a call if I am riding a horse I don’t know much about, such as Arrest or Emily Upjohn or Inspiral. I gave him a call because I was riding these horses for the first time and I know these horses a bit better now. Frankie is very willing to offer his advice.

“He is over here next week and I will definitely be speaking to him on Monday before Royal Ascot. I’ll look forward to seeing him there – he won’t be far from the action!”



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Epsom Oaks Trends 2025

Run over 1m4f the Epsom Oaks is the third of the five English Classics to be run each season and is for 3 year-old fillies.

Did you know? Trainers John Gosden and Aidan O'Brien have won 10 of the last 11 runnings between them

Here at GeeGeez we take a look back at recent winners and highlight the key trends and trainer stats ahead of the 2025 Epsom race – this year run on Friday 6th June 2025.

Recent Epsom Oaks Winners

2024 - Ezeliya (13/2)
2023 - Soul Sister (11/4)
2022 - Tuesday (13/2)
2021  - Snowfall (11/2)
2020 – Love (11/10 fav)
2019 – Anapurna (8/1)
2018 – Forever Together (7/1)
2017 - Enable (6/1)
2016 – Minding (10/11 fav)
2015 – Qualify (50/1)
2014 – Taghrooda (5/1)
2013 – Talent (20/1)
2012 - Was (20/1)
2011 – Dancing Rain (20/1)
2010 – Snow Fairy (9/1)
2009 – Sariska (9/4 fav)
2008 – Look Here (33/1)
2007 – Light Shift (13/2)
2006 – Alexandrova (9/4 fav)
2005 – Eswarah (11/4 jfav)
2004 – Ouija Board (7/2)
2003 – Casual Look (10/1)
2002 – Kazzia (10/3 fav)

Epsom Oaks Betting Trends

23/23 – Ran within the last 5 weeks
20/23 – Finished 1st or 2nd last time out
19/23 – Horses from stall 1 that were unplaced
15/23 – Won over at least 1m2f previously
14/23 – Favourites that were placed
14/23 – Won last time out
9/23 – Irish-trained winners
8/23 – Trained by Aidan O’Brien
6/23 – Won by the favourite (1 joint)
6/23 – Ran in the English 1,000 Guineas
5/23 – Returned a double-figure price
4/23 – Ridden by Ryan Moore
4/23 – Trained by John Gosden
2/23 – Trained by Ralph Beckett
1/23 – Had run over 1m4f before
0/23 – Had run at the course before
8 of the last 18 favourites were unplaced
8 of the last 12 winners came from stalls 5 or lower
Trainer Aidan O’Brien has won the race 9 times
Trainer John Gosden has won 4 of the last 11 runnings
O’Brien and Gosden have won 10 of the last 11 runnings between them
The average winning SP in the last 23 runnings is 10/1
8 past Oaks winners won the Musidora at York earlier that season
Love (2020), Kazzia (2002) and Minding (2016) were the last horses to win both the 1,000 Guineas and Epsom Oaks
The horse from stall 2 has been placed in 8 of the last 23 runnings

 

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Dettori lands Kentucky Derby ride on Society Man

Frankie Dettori has picked up the mount on Society Man in the Kentucky Derby on May 4.

Dettori quit the UK to ride in America full time last year and repeatedly stated one of his main goals was to secure a ride in America’s most famous race.

Having not ridden in the Churchill Downs feature since finishing unplaced on Saeed bin Suroor’s China Visit in 2000 behind Fusaichi Pegasus, the Italian will be pleased to be involved, even though Danny Gargan’s colt will be among the outsiders.

He was last seen finishing second in the Grade Two Wood Memorial Stakes at Aqueduct.

“I’m excited to have him (Dettori),” Gargan told Daily Racing Form.

“He’s riding great. I know it’s a race he wants to be in and a race he wants to win.”

Another former UK-based jockey will also be involved as Ben Curtis will retain the ride on the Whit Beckman-trained Honor Marie, who finished second in the Louisiana Derby on his most recent appearance.

“It was definitely on my to-do list, but it’s come around a bit quicker than I thought,” Curtis told www.bloodhorse.com. “It’s a fantastic opportunity and on a horse that I think could show up brilliant on the day.

“He was beaten a length last time. A length is easy enough to turn around.

“It’s a credit to Whit and the owners for sticking by me. I’ve had a lot of experience riding around the world. A lot of people in America probably wouldn’t know me, but I have a lot of credentials to my name. I think myself and the horse get along very well. If it’s working, don’t fix it.”



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Six of the best for Dettori at Santa Anita

Frankie Dettori fell just short of producing an American version of his famous magnificent seven when riding six straight winners on the Santa Anita Derby card.

The Italian memorably won every race at Ascot back in September 1996, on a day which cost British bookmakers an estimated £40million.

Now based across the Atlantic after abandoning plans to retire last year, Dettori looked set to rewrite the record books when rattling off six consecutive victories on Saturday night, including a Santa Anita Oaks triumph.

Sadly, he could not add to his tally from four more rides but it was still a special occasion for the 53-year-old.

He stated: “I adore this place and to be able to say that I won six races on Derby day is beyond my wildest dreams.

“I don’t know how to put it into words. Is it real? Am I dreaming? Is this really happening? It’s incredible. I just don’t know what to say.”

After missing out on Danzingwith Maxine in the opening race, Dettori began his hot streak with maiden winner Ball Don’t Lie.

He then struck on Recinto Rompere in a claiming race before landing the $125,000 Evening Jewel Stakes with Roberta’s Love at big odds.

After that success, Dettori said: “I was surprised, she jumped like a rocket and within 50 yards we were clear of the field and at the rail. I thought if nobody hassled with me, I’d be very hard to catch and that was the case. We went right up to the line.

“I tried to just save as much ground as I could – the filly is ultra consistent and was very well prepared. There were some good fillies in the race, but she put up a good performance.”

Next up came another maiden winner in Kathynmarissa and Dettori then partnered Nothing Like You to victory in the $300,000 Grade Two Santa Anita Oaks.

She was regarded as trainer Bob Baffert’s second string behind odds-on favourite Kinza but swept past her stablemate entering the home straight and ultimately romped home by seven and a half lengths.

“The filly didn’t like the kick-back too much last time but I was lucky to get a decent break and could take up a decent position where I wasn’t getting any kick-back,” said Dettori.

“I was fully loaded at the quarter pole, I just needed a bit of room and she took off.

“What can you say about Bob Baffert, he’s a genius and just lets me do what I do best and we got the job done. We’ve got a good working relationship – he trains them and I ride them, so we’ll keep it that way.”

Baffert added on the Santa Anita website: “He’s just a phenom. He is world class and has brought his talent to every stage. He’s just that good.”

Dettori’s sixth straight success soon followed when Royal Charter, a former William Haggas inmate now trained by Leonard Powell, swept to victory on her American debut.

The veteran did not have a ride in race eight and then had to settle for third place on board Getthemoney in the Grade Three Monrovia Stakes.

A narrow second on the Baffert-trained favourite Imagination in the $750,000 Grade One Santa Anita Derby was the closest Dettori came to reaching seventh heaven again.

That blow was at least softened by losing out to compatriot Antonio Fresu, who dedicated his first Grade One victory in America to fellow Italian Stefano Cherchi, who tragically died from injuries suffered in a fall in Australia recently.

Dettori finished unplaced on Ottoman Prince, formerly handled by Sir Mark Prescott, and Last Call London as he came up one short of the track record of seven wins at a meeting, set by Laffit Pincay Jr back in March 1987.



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