Analysing Frankie Dettori’s potential rides on British Champions Day
The news that Frankie Dettori has decided to call off his retirement did not come as a shock to many. Indeed, a lot of fuss was made about the legendary jockey across the course of the 2023 British flat racing season. However, there was always a sense he was going to reverse his decision — and he recently announced that he will be riding in America full-time come next year.
That means the upcoming British Champions Day at Ascot on October 21 could still be his final appearance in the seasonal finale. As expected, tickets have flown out of the box office at an incredibly fast pace as racegoers are desperate to catch what is potentially a last glimpse of the Italian in action at the iconic Berkshire track.
Dettori has had a fantastic final year in the saddle, winning two Classics in the form of the 2000 Guineas and the Oaks, while he has won several other Group 1 contests — including the Coronation Cup and prestigious Gold Cup.
But he will be desperate to sign off on a high and do his trademark flying dismount in the winner’s enclosure at Ascot at least one more time. That said, let’s take a look at his potential final rides in Britain.
Courage Mon Ami
There are some question marks surrounding whether or not Courage Mon Ami will be fit enough to run in the Long Distance Cup after the Gold Cup heroine suffered a setback in training recently. However, should the four-year-old recover in time for Champions Day, there’s no doubt Dettori will be in the saddle.
Courage Mon Ami is currently fancied at 8/1 in the odds on horse racing today, and there will need to be improvement after faring no better than sixth and second in his two outings since his Gold Cup success here. If the Wathnan Racing-owned horse isn’t fit, Dettori could ride 12/1 chance Sweet William.
Kinross
Up next is the Sprint Stakes, and Dettori will ride the 3/1 favourite Kinross in the lucrative six-furlong contest. The 52-year-old rode the Marc Chan six-year-old to glory in this race last year, and the duo returned to form when landing successive Group 2 wins in the Lennox Stakes at Goodwood and the City Of York Stakes in August.
Kinross was narrowly beaten in the Prix de la Foret at Longchamp earlier this month, but there’s still hope he can bounce back from that. The potential of soft ground would be a massive plus for this pair again.
Inspiral
Inspiral was the Dettori ride the bookies feared the most here for 12 months, as they made the Gosden filly the 11/10 favourite for the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes. However, the Cheveley Park Stud horse could fare no better than sixth. She then went down by a neck on her reappearance at Royal Ascot in June, before coming last of five runners in the Sussex Stakes.
The four-year-old bounced back with a win in the Jacques le Marois at Deauville in August. But, the likes of four-time Group 1 winner Paddington, stablemate Nashwa and current Irish 1000 Guineas champion Tahiyra could prove too good for her here.
King Of Steel
With Amo Racing firing their retained jockey Kevin Stott, Dettori has received the call-up to ride King Of Steel in the lucrative Champion Stakes —the feature race on the card. The three-year-old arrived at Epsom for the Derby after a 224-day break but ran valiantly in the prestigious contest, to finish a close second to Auguste Rodin from 66/1.
King Of Steel then went on to win the King Edward VII Stakes at Royal Ascot but failed to really impress in the King George VI and the Irish Champion Stakes. If he can find his wits about him again at this course, he could be in contention and 5/1 will be snapped up by the punters since Dettori is on board.
