Dettori admits he'll be emotional ahead of Royal Ascot farewell

‘For sure I will cry’: Frankie Dettori admits he will be emotional as he prepares to wave goodbye to Royal Ascot for the final time

  • Frankie Dettori says he will be emotional as he prepares for his final Royal Ascot 
  • Dettori has had 77 winners since his first race at Royal Ascot back in 1989 
  • He has succeeded in being the meeting’s top jockey on seven occasions

Frankie Dettori has conceded there are likely to be tears at his final Royal Ascot as he bids to wave goodbye to his favourite meeting of the season on a high.

The 52-year-old, who retires at the end of the season, first rode at the royal meeting in 1989 and the first of his 77 winners there — a tally bettered only by Lester Piggott — came on Markofdistinction in the 1990 Queen Anne Stakes.

Since then he has been the meeting’s top jockey seven times and ridden the winner of the Gold Cup eight times.

Dettori said: ‘Walking into Royal Ascot, it will be tough. It’s going to hit me on the last day. My family is going to be there and I know it is the end. For sure I will cry. I’m not even going to pretend that I’m not going to. I’ve loved every second of it.

‘Royal Ascot is the best we can offer. It’s our Olympics. On top of that we have the tradition. It’s everything for the breeders, the owners, the trainers and us.’ 

Frankie Dettori says he will be emotional as he prepares to bid farewell to Royal Ascot

Dettori had only one winner at Royal Ascot last year and will hope for a better outcome

Dettori will want to erase unhappy memories from last year’s meeting when he had only one winner, Inspiral in the Coronation Stakes, and his bid for a fourth Gold Cup on Stradivarius was scuppered, with the Italian’s tactics blamed by some.

There was also a narrow defeat on the late Queen’s Saga in the Britannia Stakes, while Lord North lost his chance in the Prince Of Wales’s Stakes with a slow start after his starting stall blindfold got stuck.

Two of Dettori’s big hopes for the meeting, Desert Crown (Prince of Wales’s Stakes) and Haskoy (Gold Cup) miss the meeting because of injury.

Dettori has a rich history at Royal Ascot – shown with the trophy for the most winners in 1997

FIVE TO FOLLOW FOR FRANKIE’S FAREWELL 

INSPIRAL 15-8 (Queen Anne Stakes, Tues)

Makes her seasonal debut but conditions should be in favour of the three-time Group One winner.

CHALDEAN 2-1 (St James’s Palace Stakes, Tues)

The impressive 2,000 Guineas winner faces a showdown with Irish 2,000 Guineas winner Paddington.

LAUREL 3-1 (Duke of Cambridge Stakes, Wed)

Legitimate reasons why she disappointed in the Lockinge Stakes. Big chance back against her own sex.

EPICTETUS 11-2 (Hampton Court Stakes, Thurs)

Came up short in French Derby when fifth but this is a drop in grade.

LEZOO 10-1

(Commonwealth Cup, Fri) Speedy filly will be suited by reverting to sprinting after failing to stay a mile in 1,000 Guineas.

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