Dettori maintains one tradition
ONE tradition did endure at the first Royal Ascot to be held behind closed doors and without the presence of the Queen – a Frankie Dettori flying dismount.
Racing royalty, he celebrated the 30th anniversary of his first winner at the flagship fixture with his trademark leap after the ironically named Frankly Darling landed the Group Two Ribblesdale Stakes in emphatic style.
Now a leading contender for next month’s Oaks, it was also a landmark 50th winner at the Royal meeting for the horse’s trainer John Gosden, the sport’s elder statesman.
And while the atmosphere was surreal without the glitz and glamour, and cacophony of noise cascading down the packed stands, the racing was as competitive as ever.
Dettori’s 68th Royal Ascot success, he didn’t require much persuading to perform his signature dismount to an empty winner’s enclosure.
“Before the first race, it was very hard to pick myself up. I usually walk in and am signing autographs, everybody is slapping me on the back and shouting my name,” ventured Dettori who, at the age of 49, remains the man to beat on the big occasion.
“It was the opposite today. I think I had to have two or three espressos to get me going for the first race. But now the adrenaline is pumping.
“I wasn’t going to do a flying dismount, but ITV asked me to do it and it’s not the same without me doing a flying dismount. There’s no crowd, but it’s still Royal Ascot and I thought I should still celebrate in style.”
On Frankly Darling, he added: “She has got some lungs let me tell you. I guess it is all systems go for Epsom for the Oaks.”
The success provided Dettori with swift compensation after
his mount, Terebellum, was touched off by the Aidan O’Brientrained and Ryan Moore-ridden Circus Maximus in a thrilling finish to the Group One Queen Anne
Stakes, with Marie’s Diamond third for Middleham’s Mark Johnston.
But Dettori could have even more reason to celebrate today
– he partners the Queen’s horse, First Receiver, who is a favourite for the Hampton Court Stakes.
A strong showing for the Sir Michael Stoute-trained colt could put First Receiver in contention for the Derby, a race that has eluded Her Majesty throughout her 68 year reign.
The closest she has come to winning the Classic was 1953 – ironically Coronation year – where her beloved Aureole was denied by the Sir Gordon Richards-ridden Pinza at Epsom.
First Receiver’s biggest rival could be Hambleton trainer Kevin Ryan’s Juan Elco who was a far from disgraced fifth in the Qipco 2000 Guineas behind Guineas favourite Kameko.
Meanwhile the undoubted day two highlight is the Prince of Wales’s Stakes over 10 furlongs in which last year’s Juddmonte International hero Japan, trained by the aforementioned O’Brien, takes on six formidable rivals.
“What he did in the Juddmonte, he looked comfortable enough and he’s a horse that never does too much anyway,” said O’Brien who is seeking his fourth win in the race.
“He doesn’t overdo himself. He’s very comfortable at a mile and a quarter and he does a mile and a half as well. He’s very versatile.”
Disputing second-favouritism are the Charlie Appleby-trained Barney Roy, a past winner at the meeting, and Roger Charlton’s Headman, who could be improving with age.
Mud-lover Addeybb has already enjoyed a profitable year for William Haggas and Tom Marquand after winning two Group One prizes in Australia during the lockdown.
Yorkshire-born Haggas initially ruled out a tilt at Royal Ascot before relenting, but conditions will be crucial. He said: “We were pleased to see the rain falling on Monday evening and the more that falls between now and Wednesday afternoon the better for him.
“He’s had a good year already and he came back from Australia very fit.
“This is probably a bit of a step up from the Australian races, but he’s no slouch and a pretty smart horse on his day.”