Frankie Dettori
FRANKIE DETTORI, the golden boy of British racing for the last 28 years, proved that he is still the hottest property in town with a wonderful ride to win the Derby aboard Golden Horn.
“I’ve won the Derby, I’ve won the Derby,” yelled the 44-year-old Milan-born three-times champion jockey. He’s been fairly quiet by his own standards, both on and off the racecourse since his split with Godolphin in 2012 but his second Derby victory has propelled him back into the media spotlight.
They say form is temporary, class is permanent. Well, yesterday Frankie and Golden Horn epitomised both. The winner was the form horse, winner of the Dante and of whom champion jockey Richard Hughes said on Channel 4 beforehand should have been 4/6 going into the race. That’s the form.
The class? That was personified by Frankie’s cool ride as he settled the son of Cape Cross near the back early on as the pacemakers Elm Park and Hans Holbein set off too quick a pace. He pulled the horse out 3f out and a furlong from home hit the front and won going away from stablemate Jack Hobbs to win by a commanding 3 1/2 lengths.
Frankie’s delight was clearly not only for himself but for his old mentor, John Gosden, for whom this was also his second Derby success, following Benny The Dip in 1997.
But Frankie’s win is truly great for racing. His naturally ebullient enthusiasm, his immense talent and huge success over four decades have made him a household name in a sport not noted for its stars.
In an age when football, athletics and cycling are in turmoil and indeed one Lanfranco Dettori has has had his problems, rejoice that “young” Frankie is back, successful on the world’s biggest stage, the Epsom Derby.
