Royal Ascot Concludes

Frankie Dettori did not sound like a man who will be riding at Royal Ascot next year in his ITV interview after his last ride today, despite all the speculation about whether he's actually going to quit at the end of the year as he has promised. So it's time to say goodbye and thanks to a jockey who has dominated this racecourse and so many headlines since his incredible seven-timer at the track in 1996. We won't see the likes of him again.

 

After a bumpy first day in which he rode three seconds and was punished with a nine-day riding ban, which he is to appeal, he finished the meeting with four victories including a ninth Gold Cup success.

He ended the five days with 81 wins to retire as the most successful active jockey at Royal Ascot, a tally which Ryan Moore, with 79 wins, will almost certainly overtake.

Dettori's final day began with lunch with the King and Queen at Windsor Castle followed by a ride in one of the carriages in the Royal procession up the Ascot straight in front of the packed stands.

“The Royal procession was amazing, to see all the people there,” he said..”Then I rode five races back-to-back.

He said: “I went to the king's castle but I didn't have lunch … I watched people having lunch … It was the best thing I've ever done (going in the royal procession). I was told I wasn't allowed to wave and I found that really difficult.

He described riding in the royal carriage as “one of the best things I have ever done”.

"To watch the crowds from the procession, and the cheers for the King and Queen throughout, the whole way from Windsor Castle was incredible,” he said.

“The love people have for the Royals, children with flags and banners - it is amazing.

He added: "I'm pleased that I finished ahead of Ryan Moore [with more career Royal Ascot winners] because next year he will pass me. At the moment I'm second behind Lester Piggott and that is an honour.

“I'm too tired to cry, but I am a bit sad. It's been a very good Royal Ascot. I finished in [almost] last place [in my last race], but we did really well throughout the week, I've loved it, and the crowd has been really good.”

On a favourite moment over the years, he said: “81 [winners] and everyone is special. I would be here all day talking about all of them, but obviously, the last Gold Cup was the biggest race of the week and to win that was amazing.”

“I didn't really have time to reflect on it all today because I was so busy. I was a little bit sad but I've a really good run at it. I'm pleased I'm going to finish in front of Ryan Moore [in terms of the full total of winners at Royal Ascot]. Being busy kept my mind off not sulking too much. When I walked into the weighting room today I felt like I was 16 again. This place has been lucky for me. Maybe it was a good thing I didn't win my last race as I might not have handled the razamatazz.”

and for a smile ... Queen's Hat Stakes result ... Day 5 ...

1 White 8-1

Queen's Hat Stakes

• 7/2 Yellow


• 4/1 Pink/Peach


• 5/1 Blue/Navy


• 6/1 Green


• 7/1 Red


• 8/1 White/Cream


• 8/1 Purple


• 10/1 Orange


• Ladbrokes betting (Others on request)

Queen's Hat Stakes

Betting agencies have kept a close eye on this, the traditional first betting heat of the day, and state: “This year is the first time Queen Camilla has headed up the hat betting - a market that has been cherished by racegoers for as long as we can remember.

“However, the uptake in the hat betting this year has been disappointing and it remains to be seen if this will even be a market next year. Some people have suggested to swap Camilla for the Princess of Wales in order to reinvent this market; and you can see why. Kate tends to wear more colourful and vibrant colours, as we saw on Friday, whereas Camilla is better known for her toned-down colour palate.

Back