‘I’m glad I’ve put Swain’s ghost behind me’ – five of Frankie Dettori’s blockbuster moments at the Breeders’ Cup
Frankie Dettori will have his final rides in the US at the Breeders’ Cup on Friday and Saturday. The world-renowned jockey has enjoyed 15 winners at the big international meeting – here we look back at five of his blockbuster moments at the Breeders’ Cup.
Frankie Dettori was crowned champion jockey in Britain for the first time in 1994 and capped the year with a milestone success at the Breeders’ Cup.
Dettori rode his first winner at the meeting on Irish 2,000 Guineas and Queen Anne scorer Barathea, who signed off his career with a three-length success in the Mile at Churchill Downs.
Barathea: won the Breeders’ Cup Mile in 1994
In the colours of Sheikh Mohammed, Dettori’s mount was cruising when he entered the home straight and stretched clear of his rivals for a three-length victory.
What Frankie said
“It was such a great opportunity to ride such a big horse in such a high-class race. He has extraordinary acceleration and I knew it would take a good one to get by me. It was one of the best feelings of my life.”
Dettori has enjoyed most success in the Turf, winning the race a joint-record five times, and the first of his victories came aboard Daylami in 1999.
The jockey was widely criticised for his ride on Classic runner-up Swain the previous year but answered those critics when partnering Daylami to a convincing success at Gulfstream Park.
Godolphin’s top-class grey justified favouritism by beating the former Sir Henry Cecil-trained Juddmonte International winner Royal Anthem by two and a half lengths.
What Frankie said
“I made a mistake last year, but don’t judge me on one ride. It took me six months to get over it, and it made me a stronger person. I’m glad I’ve put Swain’s ghost behind me. Daylami has saved my year.”
Fantastic Light ended his career on the perfect note with victory in the Turf at Belmont Park in 2001.
At the end of a campaign that featured wins in the Tattersalls Gold Cup, Prince of Wales’s Stakes and Irish Champion Stakes, the Saeed bin Suroor-trained globetrotter proved too good for his rivals in a memorable running.
Fantastic Light, who was switched with Sakhee to run in the Turf rather than the Classic in the lead-up, was chased home by Aidan O’Brien’s St Leger winner Milan but had enough in reserve to score by three-quarters of a length. Sakhee was beaten a nose by Tiznow in the Classic under Dettori later on the card.
What Frankie said
“There was this big debate about him and Sakhee and which races they would run in. Fantastic Light was a great horse and he won easily. He was a superstar of a partner.”
Raven’s Pass provided Dettori with his only success in the biggest race at the meeting, the Classic, when beating Henrythenavigator at Santa Anita in 2008.
The John Gosden-trained colt had clashed regularly with his Aidan O’Brien-trained rival throughout their three-year-old campaigns, finishing behind him in the 2,000 Guineas, St James’s Palace and Sussex Stakes but beating him in his final two starts in the QEII Stakes and the Classic.
Given a waiting ride by Dettori, Raven’s Pass made smooth headway into the home straight and was driven out to score by a length and three-quarters.
What Frankie said
“I followed Curlin and the more the race went on the more he relaxed and came into the bridle. It went like clockwork. He’s a great horse.”
Enable (Turf, 2018)
Juddmonte’s star filly Enable became the first horse to win the Arc and go on to be successful at the Breeders’ Cup in the same season in 2018.
Less than a month after her second triumph in the Arc, Enable showcased a typically willing attitude to repel Magical by three-quarters of a length at Churchill Downs on what proved her only start in the US.
Enable: was a historic winner of the Turf in 2018Credit: Edward Whitaker (racingpost.com/photos)
Enable’s victory capped a memorable meeting for Dettori, who delivered Expert Eye to perfection to land the Mile on the card for the same connections.
What Frankie said
“We had the rain and her wheels were spinning around the bends, so I took her wide to get the fresh ground and she got comfortable and found another gear. She’s amazing. She’s very special.”
Read more . . .
Who is Frankie Dettori riding at his final Breeders’ Cup?
What is next for Frankie Dettori? Amo Racing announces ambassador link-up with famous jockey
We tried to corner Frankie but he wasn’t for stopping – the racing world is about to become more boring as Dettori says goodbye again
Frankie Dettori to retire from top-level riding after the Breeders’ Cup – but reveals surprise plan before fully hanging up his saddle
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