DETTORI SIMPLY INSPIR-ATIONAL
FRANKIE DETTORI wowed his new home crowd with an inspired ride on Inspiral in the Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Turf at Santa Anita.
The 52-year-old Italian, who reversed his decision to retire to race on in California in 2024, brought the John (below) and Thady Gosden-trained filly, tackling a mile and a quarter for the first time, to nail Warm Heart and Ryan Moore in the shadow of the post to win by a neck.
“It’s a great relief for me because I thought she was my banker of the week,” said Dettori, sporting the silks of the Cheveley Park Stud on the four-year-old daughter of Frankel, whose previous five top-level triumphs had been at a mile.
“She’s been a star – she beat the boys on her first try at this trip and showed what she can do.
“She got the job done for England, the Cheveley Park team and for John and Thady Gosden.
“She usually takes 200 metres to get in top gear but she was smoking – what a good girl!”
Dettori, whose successful stint in America at the start of the year inspired him to relocate permanently, added: “I loved California so much, I retired for one week and I changed my mind.
“How could you beat this? Fabulous.”
At Wetherby, the Mouse Morristrained Gentlemansgame floored favourite Bravemansgame to lift the Charlie Hall Chase.
Harry Cobden was sitting motionless on 10-11 hotpot and reigning champion Bravemansgame running to the final fence, but a mistake at the obstacle handed the initiative to Gentlemansgame, who scored by a length and three-quarters.
Tipperary-based Morris, saddling his first winner in Britain since Rule The World’s success in the 2016 Grand National, said: “It’s a long way to the Gold Cup, but we’re living the dream.”
Trainer Paul Nicholls said of Bravemansgame, who will now head to Kempton on Boxing Day to seek back-to-back wins in the King George VI Chase: “We’ve given the winner 6lb – our targets are the King George and the Gold Cup, he’ll take a step forward.
“We don’t like losing, but he’s run very well and the King George will be a different ball game.”