3 minute read

Four races at Royal Ascot so far this afternoon and Frankie Dettori has won them all!

The Italian rider completed his 449/1 four-timer with a dramatic victory aboard the John Gosden-trained Stradivarius, the Even-money favourite, in the feature £500,000 G1 Gold Cup.

There is Frankie Dettori fever pulsating around Ascot with the rider greeted rapturously on his return to the winner's enclosure. Britain's best-known jockey, who loves Ascot more than any other course, is even himself contemplating that he could ride all six winners today. He of course completed the 'Magnificent Seven' - partnering all seven winners at the Festival of Racing at Ascot in October, 1996 which had cumulative odds of 25,051/1.

Five-year-old Sea The Stars entire Stradivarius met trouble in the home straight as he was hemmed in behind a wall of horses.

However, once the gap opened, Stradivarius showed his brave and battling qualities to forge ahead inside the final furlong and held on gamely to win by a length from 7/2 shot Dee Ex Bee, trained by Mark Johnston, in second.

Stradivarius becomes the first horse since Yeats 2006-2009) to win back-to-back renewals of the G1 Gold Cup.

Dettori's other victories this afternoon came aboard A'Ali (G2 Norfolk Stakes, 5/1, Simon Crisford), Sangarius (G3 Hampton Court Stakes, 13/2, Sir Michael Stoute) and Star Catcher (G2 Ribblesdale Stakes, 4/1, John Gosden).

Dettori has now ridden 66 winners at the Royal Meeting overall and this was his sixth victory of the week at the Berkshire venue following his four wins today and two yesterday.

The 48-year-old racing legend said: "Stradivarius is an amazing horse. He is now unbeaten in his last seven starts. He has won two Ascot Gold Cups - his heart is bigger than his body.

"Stradivarius does not know how to lose. All I have to do is get him amongst other horses and he does the rest - what a horse.

"For a stayer, this lad has everything. He loves getting into a fight and he is a brilliant horse to ride.

"Everyone loves him, including me. It is fantastic for the stable, Bjorn Nielsen (owner/breeder) and everybody else involved... I am so thrilled.

"I get nervous [riding this horse] because the people care about him so much and it is a great story for Bjorn and the stable. Every time he runs, he delivers, he is unbelievable.

"I wasn't worried about the trouble in the home straight as I just had to wait for the split. It got tight, but when I got the split, it was all over.

"In many ways, when it got tight that meant that I didn't hit the front too early. I know that he has a great kick.

"The roar from the crowd was incredible. This horse has captured people's imaginations in the way that he runs and the way that he wins - we'll bring him back next year."

"I will enjoy this first and then think about number 5! I said to Chris Stickels (Clerk of the Course) that you might have to get another statue for me! Today has a similar feel to 1996 - you never know!"

Frankie Dettori's magnificent seven Gold Cups

2019 Stradivarius (Bjorn Nielsen) John Gosden 5-9-2 Frankie Dettori Evs Fav

2018 Stradivarius (Bjorn Nielsen) John Gosden 4-9-1 Frankie Dettori 7/4 Jt-Fav

2012 Colour Vision (Godolphin) Saeed bin Suroor 4-9-0 Frankie Dettori 6/1

2004 Papineau (Godolphin) Saeed bin Suroor 4-9-0 Frankie Dettori 5/1

1998 Kayf Tara (Godolphin) Saeed bin Suroor 4-9-0 Frankie Dettori 11/1

1994 Drum Taps (Yoshio Asakawa) Lord Huntingdon 7-9-2 Frankie Dettori 13/2

1992 Drum Taps (Yoshio Asakawa) Lord Huntingdon 6-9-2 Frankie Dettori 7/4 Fav