ALL EYES ON FRANKIE’S RETURN IN SHERGAR CUP
FRANKIE DETTORI could be the star of the show at Ascot today when he makes his first appearance in the Dubai Duty Free Shergar Cup since 2016.
It has been almost 26 years since the Italian first lit up the Berkshire track when riding all seven winners on one card and his 77 wins at Royal Ascot make him the most successful jockey currently riding.
Only Hayley Turner has taken part in the multi-team event more times than Dettori and he ends his six-year Shergar Cup absence to captain a European team that also includes Prix de l’Arc de
Triomphe-winning rider Rene Piechulek, Jose-Luiz Martinez and Dettori’s compatriot Antonio Fresu.
The Italian’s best chance of the afternoon could be aboard Nigel Tinkler’s course and distance winner Isla Kai in the Shergar Cup Mile.
“We could do with as much water on it as possible and obviously very happy to have Frankie. He has ridden winners for me in the past and hopefully he will be on another one,” said Tinkler.
“He’s been absolutely fine since York and this race is tailor-made for him, the unfortunate thing is it is probably tailor-made for others in the race too. “The round mile suits him better than the straight mile here and he’s a course and distance winner who will probably get further.”
Ability
Dettori also partners Julie Camacho’s Group Three and four-time Listed winner Judicial in the Dash.
Judicial is without a win in 2022, but connections are convinced the veteran retains all of his old ability.
“Judicial is great, it’s just unfortunate that Chester had too much rain last weekend. He’s well in himself and ready to run,” said Steve Brown, assistant trainer and husband of Camacho.
“We have no reason to think he can’t win another nice race.”
The 51-year-old also gets the leg-up on Mark and Charlie Johnston’s trackand-trip winner State Of Bliss in the Challenge over a mile and a half.
The Italian kicks off his afternoon aboard Roger Teal’s Civil Law, while his final ride of the day is for Eve Johnson Houghton on Sheer Rocks.