FAB FRANKIE’S WON THE LOT
Coronation win part of peerless treble
MAGIC MAN Frankie Dettori was on fire again at Royal Ascot with three winners, making him the top rider at the five-day meeting he has ruled for the last 30 years.
He might have had to wear the compulsory face mask but there was no hiding his grin, as wide as the magnificent Ascot grandstand, after out-riding his colleagues when taking the St James’ Palace with the John Gosden-trained Palace Pier.
Earlier on the card, Dettori had made it a full house of Royal Ascot Group One victories after capturing the elusive Coronation
Stakes with Alpine Star. Saluting the empty grandstands and whooping with delight, Dettori said: “I have finally conquered this place.”
Dettori, of course, had already conquered Ascot in 1996 when riding all seven winners, added: “Today was a big tick of my boxes, in my career.
“It’s a long five days, but it goes like a flash. I hope the people at home have been enjoying it as much as I have.” Alpine Star was following in the hoofprints of her half-sister Alpha Centauri, the winner of the race two years ago and just like that filly, is trained in Ireland by Jessica Harrington.
Dettori had earlier shown why he is such an exceptional rider when playing his cards late but perfectly by putting Campanelle’s head in front on the winning line to take the Queen Mary Stakes.
The Italian clearly enjoyed the moment as the filly is trained in the States by his mate Wesley
Ward, who said:
“That’s the Frankie Dettori that we all love, that’s the reason why he is the greatest, and I can’t thank him enough.” It was very much payback from Dettori who earlier in the week had rejected the ride on a Ward runner.
He said: “I had Wesley on the phone screaming at me for half an hour yesterday, so I am glad I could win this race for him. “He’s a friend of mine, but he doesn’t forgive things. But I have just had him on the phone, and he is delighted this time.” Chiefofchiefs (20-1) benefited from a drop in trip to land the opening race at Royal Ascot, the Silver Wokingham Handicap, for trainer Charlie Fellowes and jockey William Buick. It was the gelding’s first success since January 2019.