3 minute read
Frankie Dettori has been reflecting on the four-timer he achieved at Royal Ascot yesterday, including Stradivarius in the G1 Gold Cup.
Interviewed on Sky Sports Racing, he compared it to his Magnificent Seven, achieved 23 years ago at Ascot, but at the September meeting.
Dettori said: "I started off in the first race for a good friend of mine in Simon Crisford aboard A'Ali [G2 Norfolk Stakes]. It was very emotional and I was so pleased for him. Then I knew I had a chance in the second race aboard Sangarius [G3 Hampton Court Stakes]. I had a good pitch and had a good run through. I expected Star Catcher [G2 Ribblesdale Stakes] to run well and when she won, I was just hoping that I hadn't used all my luck up! At that point I was in a good place and I could feel the adrenaline pumping. I could feel the people getting behind me and everybody wanted Stradivarius to win - it was magical. I can't lie, I was nervous before the race, but the Gold Cup went to plan. I had a good spot and looking at the replay I know why people were worried, but I thought I was fine as I knew everything that was going on! When I crossed the line, everyone went mad - it was great. I haven't experienced anything like it at Royal Ascot. We got over 66,000 people here yesterday and a lot of them won't know much about racing, but they got to experience something really special. To see a gutsy performance from Stradivarius is good for the sport and I was so pleased to be a part of it.
"Stradivarius has become the people's favourite. His style of racing and the way he conducts himself is marvellous. He has a tremendous will to win and it is so obvious for people to see. It is a privilege for me to ride him obviously, for people in the grandstand and people at home, it is magical to see a horse like that - Stradivarius is a wonderful horse. Stradivarius is so tiny and they dwarf him! His heart is bigger than his body.
"The Magnificent Seven was special, but it was such a long time ago I forgot about it! Yesterday was so special and I could feel everything. After the Magnificent Seven, this is my second biggest day - I cannot put it into words.
"My knees are alright, though the ankles were a bit sore this morning, I needed to jump in the cold bath last night. I spoke to my dad and typical Dad, he said I should have won the fifth race [aboard Turgenev in the Britannia Handicap] - one mistake out of six is not bad.
"Today I've got bit and bobs. Ryan Moore could do today what I did yesterday. He has a tremendous book of rides if they turn up. Hermosa [G1 Coronation Stakes] is very good and if Japan [G2 King Edward VII Stakes] runs like he did in the Derby, he should be tough to beat. My fella Private Secretary [G2 King Edward VII Stakes] is improving so I don't know what to expect. Advertise [G1 Commonwealth Cup] has a squeak on last year's form... who knows. The way things are going, I am not going to rule anything out."
