Only Lester Piggott has won more races at the meeting as the 50-year-old continues to show the strength of his ambition
Frankie Dettori, the king of Royal Ascot, paused just moments after he won the opening race of the week and then, rightly, he lifted his left hand to pat the gleaming neck of his imperious horse. Palace Pier, the hot favourite, had not needed to prove why he is one of the highest rated horses in the world, as he cruised home to win the Queen Anne Stakes by a length and a half. But there was still a thrill in seeing a great horse, with his old master in the saddle, race so serenely across the sunlit turf as a semblance of normality returned to racing.
Dettori then brought the same hand to his lips and blew a kiss in celebration of his 74th winner at Royal Ascot. He wagged a finger and then gently touched the neck of Palace Pier again. The finger went back to his mouth and he tapped his pursed lips twice as he sent a couple more kisses into the languid summer air. Dettori had moved one victory ahead of his old rival, Pat Eddery, the 11-times champion jockey who died in 2015 at the age of 63.
Written by Donald McRae at Ascot
This news first appeared on https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2021/jun/15/frankie-dettori-royal-ascot-milestone-palace-pier under the title “Voracious Frankie Dettori passes Royal Ascot milestone on Palace Pier”. Bolchha Nepal is not responsible or affiliated towards the opinion expressed in this news article.
