Tag Archive for: Frankie Dettori

Panthalassa holds on to deny Dettori and Country Grammer in Saudi Cup

/in /by

Frankie Dettori and Country Grammer just missed out as Panthalassa produced a remarkable front-running performance to strike gold for Japan in the $20million Saudi Cup.

The Bob Baffert-trained Country Grammer was narrowly denied in the world’s most valuable race 12 months ago when ridden by Flavien Prat, before providing Dettori with a fourth Dubai World Cup success at Meydan a few weeks later.

Following a readying win in California on Boxing Day, the six-year-old returned to Riyadh as one of two leading contenders for the Baffert team along with multiple Grade One winner Taiba – but Panthalassa set a strong gallop from the off at the King Abdulaziz Racecourse and could not be reeled in.

Trained by Yoshito Yahagi and ridden by Yutaka Yoshida, Panthalassa dead-heated in last year’s Dubai Turf with Lord North who earlier in the day had landed a far less lucrative Winter Derby at Lingfield.

Such was the pace Panthalassa set, Baffert’s pair were under pressure before the home turn and it briefly looked like it could be a Japanese one-two-three-four with a trio of compatriots chasing Panthalassa up the straight.

But Dettori conjured a storming late rally out of Country Grammer, with the line coming just too soon as he was narrowly denied once again.

Yahagi – who also on the mark with Bathrat Leon in the Turf Sprint – said: “It is unbelievable. I have no words. I am very, very happy. He was in stall one, so I said it was OK to go to the front. I was happy when he went three wide off the rail. The ground was a little bit faster and he needs it fast.

A day never to be forgotten for trainer Yoshito Yahagi
A day never to be forgotten for trainer Yoshito Yahagi (Jockey Club of Saudi Arabia/Mathea Kelley)

“This win is higher than any other I have had – of course it is the best feeling, because the prize-money is the best, too!

“I really can’t believe it at the moment. It does not feel real, but I’d like to say thanks to my staff and the horse.

“Winning this is not easy. Japanese racing tries everything to improve and develop and (make) Japanese horse racing to become more international – and we have done that.”

He added: “I will discuss with my owner and then we will decide if we go to Dubai for the World Cup, which is of course a possibility.

What a finish to the Saudi Cup
What a finish to the Saudi Cup (Jockey Club of Saudi Arabia/Mathea Kelley)

“If my owners let me go to Europe, I would love the challenge. When I started training, no one knew me and when I wore a hat they knew who I was. Today, I wore the same hat I wore at the Breeders’ Cup. I have between 200 and 300 hats. I don’t count. It would be fun if they started a game where they bet on the colour of my hat.”

A jubilant Yoshida said: “He sometimes doesn’t jump well, so I concentrated on giving him a good start and he did it. When he took an early lead the others did not give too much pressure to him. The pace was not too strong for him, it was another factor for him to keep finding until the line.

“I did break well and then it was straightforward. Mr Yahagi said to me to ride my race and I would get a good result. I didn’t think about the surface. I just rode my race and thought if he adapts to the track, it would be all right. Of course, they were coming for me in the straight, but Panthalassa always found another gear and so I kept riding.

“It is an unforgettable moment and I am very happy to have ridden the winner.”

Dettori, meanwhile, is hopeful Country Grammer can repeat his heroics of last year in the Dubai World Cup, with an extra furlong in his favour.

Country Grammer and Frankie Dettori after winning the Dubai World Cup
Country Grammer and Frankie Dettori after winning the Dubai World Cup (Neil Morrice/PA)

He said: “He ran a super race. I was outpaced all the way. I travelled to stay and thought I would be sixth really, then they all died and bless him, he’s got so much heart.

“I stayed on well, but his game is a mile and a quarter and we go back to Dubai.

“I was way back because I couldn’t lay up. I pushed him all the way. It was a super run. Like I said, at the quarter pole, I’m sixth here and thought ‘I’m not going to get any money’.

“In fairness, it was a bit like last year and he was closing all the while.

“It has been a great experience, this meeting. I’m always smiling!”

Elite Power is a special winner for Dettori in Dirt Sprint

/in /by

Frankie Dettori brought Elite Power with a devastating run down the centre of the track to win the Riyadh Dirt Sprint.

Slightly taken off his feet in the early stages, the Eclipse Award winner engaged overdrive inside the final two furlongs and ran out a wide-margin scorer.

Winner of the Breeders’ Cup Sprint last time out, Elite Power was simply in a different league to his rivals – but this was a poignant success for Dettori.

He was sporting the silks of the famous Juddmonte operation, founded by the late Saudi prince Khalid Abdullah and worn to many big-race wins by Dettori on the likes of Enable and most recently in the Dewhurst on Chaldean.

“The first word that comes to mind is ‘aeroplane’,” said Dettori of the Bill Mott-trained five-year-old.

“As soon as I asked him to get a little bit closer he just took off and the race was over.

“The Abdullah family has been so good for the sport and I love the colours. It’s given the locals something to cheer about.”

Dettori, riding the horse for the first time and still breathless from the victory, added: “That is his style of racing, he took me by surprise, I did not want to give them too much rope and needed to lay up and he just took off, he rocketed off, like the turbo kicked in.

“They went hard early on, so I laid off them and went a bit wider to give him some clean air.”

A special victory for Frankie Dettori
A special victory for Frankie Dettori (Jockey Club of Saudi Arabia/Mathea Kelley)

Mott’s assistant, Neil Poznansky, said: “He’s a big, strong animal. He shows nothing but class. He shipped over here like he was here his whole life. He’s a good horse, a very good horse. His turn of foot is incredible, he’s just incredible to watch, a magnificent animal.

“He’s really coming into himself and getting better as he was really slow to mature. Now he’s putting it all together. Bill doesn’t come here without reason, but bringing a horse like Elite Power is a good reason to come.

“For Frankie and Juddmonte it was like a whole dynasty thing.”

Dettori looking to ‘solid’ Country Grammer for Saudi Cup glory

/in /by

Frankie Dettori has already won one of the world’s most valuable races on Bob Baffert’s Country Grammer and he now has his sights set on another in the Saudi Cup.

The pair combined to land the Dubai World Cup last year, when Dettori replaced Flavien Prat who had steered Country Grammer to second behind shock winner Emblem Road in Riyadh.

Of course this will be Dettori’s last ride in the race, the fourth renewal, as he brings the curtain down on his storied career.

Yet despite all the greats he has ridden in almost 40 years in the saddle, Country Grammer will have earned him more prize-money than any other should he win the first prize of over £8million.

“He is very solid. He never runs a bad race, and touch wood he doesn’t start now. He was second last year, he is tough,” said Dettori.

“He has travelled before, so that’s a plus. He is solid and I’d be foolish to say I’d be confident, but I am very pleased to ride him and you know he will give his best.

“He gave me the same feel (in the mornings) as he did (on Boxing Day at Santa Anita). Bob Baffert and Amr Zedan (owner) skipped the Breeders’ Cup Classic as it would have been a tough task to beat the good horse (Flightline), so he has been basically aimed for these two races, this one and Dubai, so this was always the plan.”

Dettori’s biggest threat arguably comes from within, as Baffert and Zedan also run Taiba, a multiple Grade One winner in the States and the mount of Mike Smith.

“Taiba is also very solid, he has little mileage on the clock. He is a horse I feel is still improving,” said Dettori.

Bob Baffert has two big chances in the Saudi Cup
Bob Baffert has two big chances in the Saudi Cup (Jockey Club of Saudi Arabia/Doug De Felice)

Baffert said of the year younger Taiba: “He just has so much quality. He will do what you want – he can go forward or come from off the pace – I don’t worry about him.

“He’ll fool you, because he’s such a lazy work horse in the mornings and is so laid-back, but when he gets in that gate and the lights turn on – that’s when his light turns on.

“Charlatan (second to Mishriff two years ago) was a brilliant horse with just brilliant speed, but he got into a speed duel with Knicks Go, which cost him the race, but this horse has speed and stamina.

“He is tough to ride and that’s why Mike Smith had to really get him out and get him going last time in the Malibu. Once you put him into the race, he has the stamina, and that’s why, when he missed the break (when third) in the Breeders’ Cup (Classic), it hurt him. He wasn’t going to beat Flightline, but it cost him second.”

He went on: “I think both horses are doing really well. Country Grammer is a horse who always runs his race. Frankie knows him really well and if the horse shows up, he’ll get the job done if Taiba doesn’t. This horse has never been better – he’s a better horse this year, I think – and he likes this track, which is really key.”

One striking thing to have emerged in the short history of the Saudi Cup meeting is the success of the Japanese-trained runners and they are back in force once more.

Six-year-old Cafe Pharoah will be ridden by Brazilian ace Joao Moreira, and his trainer Noriyuki Hori said: “Being realistic, this is probably one of the strongest races on dirt in the world.

“When you offer very high prize-money, it attracts the best horses. However, this horse has impressed me in his track work.

“I know we are challenging good horses, but I have faith in regards to how the horse has run. He is there for me.”

Yoshito Yahagi took Panthalassa to Dubai last year and he dead-heated with Lord North in the Dubai Turf, now he is on dirt.

“The tactics are just one thing – that’s go to the front. Number one gate dictates this,” said Yahagi.

“The track is deep, like a Japanese track. It is deeper than last year. It is not good for Panthalassa.”

Jun Light Bolt may be the best of the Japanese and he will be ridden by Ryan Moore, who teamed up with him for the first time on Friday morning.

“He concentrated on cantering and seems to be in his best condition. He also handled the surface well. I am delighted that connections offered me a ride on a horse with serious chance. I’m looking forward to a big run with him,” said Moore.

Frankie relaxed as farewell tour goes up a significant notch

/in /by

Frankie Dettori is saying all the right things. No desert storm over the latest whip rules, no sign of annoyance at the umpteenth question about his retirement.

He is on autopilot in Riyadh. His smile is almost forced. He looks tired, yet somehow leaner as he sits before the waiting press conference ahead of the fourth edition of the Saudi Cup.

Country Grammer will be his partner in the big one. And there are $20million reasons why the latest pit-stop on this long-goodbye tour matters.

The Saudi Cup came calling, of course. They want star power to promote the event and while much of the King Abdulaziz Racecourse still looks like a building site 48 hours before the big race itself, there is no better salesman than Dettori.

On Friday, he will ride in the International Jockeys Challenge – a series of four handicap races, each run for an eye-watering $400,000 – alongside five other international male riders, two locals and seven international female jockeys. All 14 jockeys will ride in each of the dirt and turf races.

“I’m looking forward to it. Tomorrow is the appetiser for the big one,” insists Dettori.

“I’ve been coming here for 30 years. I’m part of the furniture and I know most of the trainers and I’m riding with some great jockeys, so I was honoured to be asked.”

The dirt track, which surrounds the lush, green Riyadh turf course, is considered by many riders to be the best in the world.

“Back in the day we used to race at a track in the city centre and this track has been built about 15 years, and it is very much like the footprint of Belmont in New York,” says the Italian, who will make his 11th seasonal appearance in Saudi Arabia, where he has ridden six winners from 72 rides.

King Abdulaziz Racecourse dirt track/Riyadh
Dettori loves the King Abdulaziz Racecourse dirt track (Simon Milham/PA)

“I’d say this is the best dirt track I have ever ridden. It is kinder than other dirt tracks I’ve ridden throughout the world.

“For example, you saw Mishriff, a turf horse, win the Saudi Cup a few years ago, so it does open things up a bit for turf horses and I really enjoy riding here.

“Basically this (event) is getting bigger and bigger. The Saudi Cup has found a good slot in the international racing calendar.

“It just shows you with the kind of (quality) horses we will ride this weekend.”

A couple of months spent in America have appeared to have done him the world of good. The positivity is genuine enough and certainly a far cry from the angst of a public fall-out with John Gosden, whose thinly veiled criticism of the jockey’s work ethic surfaced after a run of bad luck and a smattering of unfortunate rides at Royal Ascot in the summer. Bridges were quickly mended, lessons learned.

Dettori has since been riding out of his magnificently tanned skin, helped by his old friend and ally, trainer Bob Baffert.

Frankie Dettori/Riyadh
Frankie was playing a straight bat at Riyadh (Simon Milham/PA)

His recent stint at Santa Anita has reaped rich rewards and while not exactly fresh from a fabulous four-timer at Santa Anita on Saturday, one gets the feeling that he has surprised himself a touch.

“It has been overwhelming,” Dettori adds. “I didn’t expect to do so well, especially some great rides at Santa Anita and I’ve really enjoyed it. I’ve been getting all sorts of support from a variety of trainers, so it is going well.”

Dettori announced this will be his last season in the saddle in December. Riyadh was the first place the international media had gathered in numbers to get his thoughts. Taken aback, he ticked the boxes, fielded the same questions he has faced – and will certainly continue to bat back – with the courtesy they demanded.

Prodded by a Japanese correspondent about the decision to retire, Dettori replies: “It is only just sinking in, now that I’m stopping, that I have thought about it.

Dettori is looking to the future, but what that entails appears fluid
Dettori is looking to the future, but what that entails appears fluid (Tim Goode/PA)

“Since I announced my retirement, I have been overwhelmed by the warmth of the people in and out of racing. That is the bit I will miss.

“I only started off as a young kid with a dream to be a jockey and I think I’ve pretty much succeeded, and the last few months have been a great journey and everyone has been very nice. That’s all I have to say.”

Another prod to expand, produced another straight bat. ”I gave myself a year to give myself a last farewell.

“I’ve been at Santa Anita because I was asked to – I would usually spend my winters in Dubai.

“I will do the European programme and then Ascot should be my last one in England (British Champions Day) and then possibly the Breeders’ Cup will be my last (meeting), or a Melbourne Cup or something else will materialise, but basically this year is my last. I will be 53 in December and I will finish at the top.

“It’s very hard to choose the right moment. My heart wants to carry on , but I want to have another life after this.”

What that constitutes appears to be more than a little fluid or simply unknown.

For now, he states: “I will keep my eye on working in the media side, in racing obviously.

“That is the road I am thinking of taking, possibly doing other things, buying a few horses, being a bloodstock agent, something like that. At the end of the season, I’ll have a couple of months to sit back and look at the whole picture.”

The irony is that in this land of sand and dust, Dettori’s plans for a future after race-riding are not set in concrete. Father Time is knocking, yet what if a special horse should emerge?

America has served him well. A Kentucky Derby is still missing form the Dettori CV.

There will be a temptation for an encore. For now, he will just keep saying all the right things.

Dettori’s mount Grammer handed high draw for Saudi Cup assignment

/in /by

Country Grammer and Frankie Dettori will break from stall 10 in an attempt to go one better than last year in the Saudi Cup.

The Bob Baffert-trained six-year-old finished behind shock winner Emblem Road 12 months ago, with that rival drawn in stall eight this time.

Country Grammer went on to win the Dubai World Cup under Dettori and he is back on board having ridden Baffert’s charge to victory on the first day of his current stint in America.

Baffert also runs Taiba, a four-year-old with two Grade Ones to his credit already, who will be in stall two under Mike Smith.

Baffert said: “He (Country Grammer) had the rail last year, it didn’t bother him at all. Frankie Dettori knows the horse really well, I’m lucky to have two Hall of Fame jockeys.

“I think it’s good to have a speed horse inside of him (Taiba). He likes company, to run with another horse to get him into the race.”

Panthalassa, who dead-heated with Lord North in the Dubai Turf last year, breaks from stall one.

Dettori revs up for Saudi Cup with spectacular Santa Anita four-timer

/in /by

The Frankie Dettori farewell tour will have plenty of highlights before he finally hands up his boots at the end of the season – but a 251-1 four-timer at Santa Anita will certainly be one of the more memorable ones.

Dettori, who will will team up with last year’s runner-up Country Grammer in the $20million Saudi Cup next weekend, announced his intention to retire from the saddle at the Breeders’ Cup meeting in November this year following a glittering career.

His latest stint in North America has been hugely successful since he partnered the Bob Baffert-trained Country Grammer to success in the Grade Two San Antonio Stakes at Santa Anita on Boxing Day.

The 52-year-old still has plenty of star power and is arguably riding as well has he ever has in the last couple of months.

Dettori started the ball rolling on a super Saturday in California when guiding home Piroli (2-1) for Michael McCarthy to land a mile claimer, before powering Harper’s Gallop (10-11 favourite) to success in the nine-furlong starter allowance for trainer Leonard Powell.

The Italian then steered Teddy’s Barino (9-2) to success for Mark Glatt in the seven-furlong claimer, upsetting the Baffert-trained odds-on shot Adare Manor.

Yet the best was saved until last, with the biggest win of the evening coming aboard Freedom Flyer.

With three late withdrawals in the $100,000 Wishing Well Stakes, there were just six runners for the extended six-furlong contest and the Dettori-partnered 7-1 chance dug deep to fend off joint-favourites Big Summer and Bay Storm to claim the prize.

Country Grammer and Frankie Dettori after winning the Dubai World Cup
Country Grammer and Frankie Dettori after winning the Dubai World Cup (Neil Morrice/PA)

Speaking to TVG, Dettori said of the Powell-trained filly: “I will be honest, with the late scratching, smaller field, I knew I had speed.

“It is a filly that you want to save as much as you can and I wasn’t able to get to the front on my own terms and the last sixteenth of the mile I was basically on my hands and knees, but her heart got her past the line in front, so it was a good effort.

“The hillside course is really exciting. They go fast down that hill, you have to cross over. You have to get everything right and haven’t got much time to think. You can win and lose the race by doing the wrong move at the wrong time, but it is really fun to ride.”

Dettori banking on Country Grammer in Saudi Cup

/in /by

Frankie Dettori will look to Country Grammer to go one better than last year and give him a first Saudi Cup victory as his valedictory lap begins in earnest later this month.

Dettori intends to retire at the end of the 2023 campaign and he decided to revisit his youth over the winter months, heading back to America to ride at Santa Anita, the track upon which he honed his craft as a young man.

The decision has allowed him to renew his association with the Bob Baffert-trained Country Grammer well ahead of his Riyadh assignment, with the pair teaming up to win the Grade Two San Antonio Stakes on Boxing Day – Dettori’s first day at the track.

He said: “It took me by surprise, the first day I came here to ride he was one of my first runners, the pressure was on. Boxing day there were 40,000 people here and he was a big favourite, so of course I wanted the horse to win and he won in style. I was super pleased with him and he still retains all the ability he had last year, it was a good start to the season.

“Bob made it very clear to me that the Saudi Cup was going to be the next target, that’s why he didn’t run in the Pegasus, so touch wood, it’s all systems go at the moment for Saudi.”

Dettori had teamed up with Country Grammer only once previously, when creating a minor surprise in landing the Dubai World Cup last March after finishing second in the Saudi Cup under Flavien Prat.

Country Grammer finished second in each of his three starts after returning to America, most notably being thrashed 19 lengths by Flightline in the Pacific Classic, but Dettori feels that consistency is one of the horse’s strongest traits.

He said: “When I text Bob Baffert after Flightline beat him 19 lengths, I said ‘well that was a good run’ and he said to me that Country Grammer thought he’d won because he never saw Flightline!

Country Grammer (right) looks to go one better than last year's second when taking part in the Saudi Cup once again on February 25
Country Grammer (right) looks to go one better than last year’s second when taking part in the Saudi Cup once again on February 25 (Jockey Club of Saudi Arabia / Douglas De Felice)

“In fairness, he’s a super consistent horse, he’s unfazed by anything, he’s solid. He was second last year in the Saudi Cup and won the Dubai World Cup – he had a good season. (Owner) Amr Zedan is from Saudi and that was always the aim, to go back to the Saudi Cup.

“He’s very straightforward, I think the way the season went last year, it just showed that he’s very versatile and can perform in other countries. He’s very solid and I’m very pleased to be able to ride him.

“We still have a couple of weeks left, so I hope the horse ships to Saudi in one piece and when you have a five-year-old, you can be confident that travelling is not going to be an issue. He’s going to bring his A-game and he’s going to be a tough cookie.”

Zedan has another potential challenger to look forward to in Taiba, who won the Malibu Stakes at Santa Anita on Boxing Day and got within nine lengths of Flightline in the Breeders’ Cup Classic, with Dettori rating him a major rival.

“Taiba won the Santa Anita Derby, perhaps the Kentucky Derby came too quick for him, but he put in a great comeback run the other day and won. He’s got fresh legs, little mileage on the clock and he’s one of the horses I would fear because he’s got plenty to give,” he added.

“Country Grammer is as good as last year, I would be dreaming to say he is better than when he won the World Cup, that’s an amazing race, but he gave me the same feel as Dubai.”

Dettori expects to have some smart mounts on the undercard with Breeders’ Cup Sprint winner Elite Power and the John and Thady Gosden-trained Trawlerman on his sheet.

He said: “I have one in the sprint for Bill Mott and Trawlerman in the two-miler and I’m sure something else will develop. The entries haven’t come out yet so I’m sure I’ll pick up another couple of rides.”

Dettori will also take part in the International Jockey Challenge at the Riyadh track, with top Hong Kong pilot Joao Moreira also scheduled to ride as he enjoys his own international farewell tour ahead of retirement.

Frankie Dettori will be competing against Joao Moreira
Frankie Dettori will be competing against Joao Moreira (Julian Herbert/PA)

“The Saudi Cup is established as one of the main events in the calendar and I’m looking forward to that and the jockeys’ challenge,” said Dettori.

“It will be my last chance to ride with some great jockeys from around the world. I’m super excited and it will be lots of fun.”

Dettori has been enjoying winners with regularity in the US and admits he wishes he had undertaken more American adventures over the years.

He said: “I didn’t realise how well things would go this year – the support has been amazing. I came here 30 years ago and I forgot how nice California is and I really enjoyed my riding. It’s been so far so good. Looking back I wish I’d spent a few years here in the winter, but it is what it is.

“It’s ultra-competitive (at Santa Anita) with super riders, so I am enjoying it. When you ride with great riders, it also gets the best out of you.

“I’m not saying I’m riding better (than in recent years), but they don’t give you any free rides so you have to be super sharp and super fit. You’re competing with the best, so it does raise your game.”

Marquand: Dettori retirement will leave huge void for racing

/in /by

As Frankie Dettori begins his long goodbye, a farewell tour before retirement from the saddle at the end of this year, the sport of racing will scratch its head and wonder just how it is going to fill the void.

Dettori has affected the brand like no other before him. He is known worldwide. The flamboyant Italian has achieved almost everything that can be achieved in the saddle.

Now at the age of 52, Dettori is almost done punching the clock and his weighing-room colleague Tom Marquand insists there will be no one who can do as much for the visibility of the sport.

“I don’t think anyone could fill the gap that Frankie is going to leave, because he is Frankie,” said Marquand.

The farewell tour begins for racing's golden boy Frankie Dettori
The farewell tour begins for racing’s golden boy Frankie Dettori (Mike Egerton/PA)

“He is someone that won’t be replaced, not only because of his achievements but the way he goes about it as well – he’s Frankie, no one else is going to be Frankie. Anyone else can try, but they are not going to manage it.”

Marquand, 24, married fellow jockey Hollie Doyle in March last year. The pair, who met when pony racing, have been dubbed racing’s ‘Golden Couple’.

They shared the spoils behind William Buick in the Flat jockeys’ championship last term, each riding 91 winners between the Guineas meeting and Champions Day. Both had a trio of Group One victories.

The fact that Hollie and Tom are both extremely good at their jobs and are highly personable, professional and generous with their time, makes them a marketing dream.

Becoming A-list racing celebrities was never part of the plan. Marquand says he is not yet used to it, much less feels like he deserves it.

“We have never really gone out of our way to do anything,” he said.

Racing's royal couple are highly marketable
Racing’s royal couple are highly marketable (John Walton/PA)

“We have never really chased it. We recognise the sport needs promoting and if we are doing well, it is our job to go alongside riding and we recognise that. It is not something we view as we can boost our career by doing it. It is part of the job.”

The pair went down a storm when competing against each other in Japan recently.

“It is one of the places that everyone in racing should try to visit,” he adds. “It is an amazing country and we’d both go back in a heartbeat.”

Hollie is facing a spell on the sidelines, having broken her left elbow in a fall at Wolverhampton, so Tom is preparing to fly solo to Australia, a trip that could end up being a near three-month stay.

He rode eight winners when last in New South Wales in 2021, which included partnering the now-retired Addeybb to victory in the Group One Queen Elizabeth Stakes for a second time.

Tom Marquand will not have the benefit of riding Champion Stakes hero Addeybb in Australia
Tom Marquand will not have the benefit of riding Champion Stakes hero Addeybb in Australia (Alan Crowhurst/PA)

Marquand will team up with trainer William Haggas, who will send four horses to the six-week Sydney Autumn Carnival, which features 18 Group One contests worth over £22million.

Group Two winners Dubai Honour and Purplepay will join handicappers Earl Of Tyrone and Protagonist, both owned by Melbourne Cup-winning syndicate Australian Bloodstock. He is also expected to get plenty of rides from local trainers.

However, Marquand, who has ridden 42 winners in total on his last three visits to Sydney, admits the trip, which sees him have his first rides on February 4, could be emotionally challenging.

“We know how lucky we are to get opportunities like going to Hong Kong and Japan together, because they so hard to come by,” he said.

“Hollie and I compete as individuals. It is an interesting dynamic.

“I’d be one of the most competitive people ever and Hollie would be the same – you pick up a tennis racket and you’d want to win a game of tennis, pick up a golf club, you want to win a game of golf.

Marquand (centre) and Doyle (left) both go at it as individuals
Tom Marquand (centre) and Hollie Doyle (left) both go at it as individuals (Adam Davy/PA)

“Probably because it is so volatile in the racing world with your results – one day you might ride a treble or ride a St Leger winner then go to Wolverhampton the next day for six rides and don’t ride anything better than a 0-65 horse – that is what keeps you grounded.

“Between us, because we are both experiencing each other’s ups and downs as well, it evens it out even more.

“It helps the relationship. In reality, it has been quite hard sometimes.

“It is going to happen in a couple of weeks. I am going to want to go to Australia and if Hollie wasn’t injured, she’d be riding here – and having two months away is hard.

“I know other jockeys experience it, but they get their wife to get to come over for a week or month or something, whereas we don’t really get that unless it is like Japan, where we got to go together – and that is the first time that has ever happened for more than a few days.

“So, it does make it hard in some elements. I don’t know whether she will come, but it is one of those things.

“But if we ran our respective careers off each other, it wouldn’t work, because neither of us would be successful, so you have both got to go at it as individuals. We have managed to make it work.”

When Hollie’s injury heals, the sport’s dream team will once again be pitting their wits against each other on the track, worrying about who will do the washing up and ironing later.

“We don’t rib each other. Even in pony racing, it never really came into it,” adds Marquand.

“Ultimately we both want to win, but we are fully of the idea that if you are not going to win personally, you hope it is her and she is the same.

“Obviously, she would sooner beat me than finish second but not because it is me – it is because she wants to win and I’m the same.”

The couple will continue to push each other and support each other, and that could not make racing’s marketing bods any happier. Without Frankie, the show must go on.

Dettori and Country Grammer aiming for Saudi Cup revenge

/in /by

Frankie Dettori has the opportunity for big-race glory on his farewell tour when partnering Country Grammer in the Saudi Cup.

Dettori guided the Bob Baffert-trained six-year-old to Dubai World Cup success last year and was reunited with the son of Tonalist at Santa Anita on Boxing Day, where the Italian began the American leg of his swansong by steering Country Grammer to victory in the San Antonio Stakes.

Country Grammer will now attempt to go one better than last year’s half-length second to Emblem Road in the the $20million Riyadh Group One and owner Amr Zedan – a successful Saudi Arabian businessman and breeder – is delighted to have the assistance of the 52-year-old as he attempts to win the world’s most valuable race.

Country Grammer and Frankie Dettori after winning the Dubai World Cup
Country Grammer and Frankie Dettori after winning the Dubai World Cup (Neil Morrice/PA)

“Frankie needs no testimony from me,” said Zedan. “He’s been great for the sport in every way – on the horse, off the horse or flying off the horse.

“His accomplishments speak for themselves. He’s a good friend and he will be missed. I hope he reconsiders his retirement by picking up mounts as he chooses over the coming months.”

Reflecting on Country Grammer’s effort in the contest 12 months ago, Zedan added: “It was my first appearance at the Saudi Cup and Country Grammer was an unknown commodity. He showed great tenacity to finish second and we were very proud of him,”

Zedan will also be represented by another Baffert-trained contender on February 25, with Malibu Stakes victor Taiba also in the running for the nine-furlong event.

Also an emphatic scorer at Santa Anita on Boxing Day, his owner hopes the four-time scorer can make his mark over a trip at which he has tasted top-level success previously in both the Pennsylvania and Santa Anita Derby.

He continued: “We really hoped we had something after he won the Santa Anita Derby in April and we always thought he would be the perfect fit for the race going from his three-year-old to his four-year-old year.

“The Saudi Cup was front and centre, we had to see how the rest of the year played out but with me being from Saudi, it was always a priority.

“He’s the kind of horse that works as good as his workmate. He has his own mind but he gives me a heart attack in every race, especially down the backstretch.

“The Malibu was an important race for him as it turned into a bit of a sprint. It was a good call by Bob to put him in the right condition to instigate that kind of speed and it was a good step.

“If you watch the Pennsylvania Derby, he was dropping back and then picked up. Mike Smith knows him well and they are a great combination. He makes Mike work – he was more exhausted than Taiba that day!”

Chaldean will be Dettori’s ride if he wants it, say Juddmonte

/in /by

The Juddmonte team are keeping everything crossed that leading 2000 Guineas contender Chaldean can give Frankie Dettori a Classic winner in his final year before retirement.

The popular Italian teamed up with Andrew Balding’s Frankel colt twice in the autumn, steering him to success in both the Champagne Stakes at Doncaster and the Dewhurst at Newmarket.

Speaking on a Zoom call to reveal the classifications for last season’s two-year-old crop, Juddmonte racing manager Barry Mahon confirmed Dettori will keep the ride on Chaldean, whose rating of 119 makes him the joint second-highest rated juvenile of 2022 along with Blackbeard.

Little Big Bear was crowned Europe’s champion juvenile with a mark of 124.

“He’s definitely Frankie’s ride if he wants him and he’s available and hasn’t any other commitments,” said Mahon.

“I spoke with Andrew last week about it and he was of the same mind that Frankie seemed to click well with the horse and in their two starts they built up a good rapport, so we definitely wouldn’t look to be changing anything there unless Frankie has a commitment anywhere else.

“Frankie has been a phenomenal jockey for so many years. He’s been phenomenal for the sport and is loved and adored all around the world.

“We’re very much looking forward to the next 12 months. Hopefully we’ll be able to retain his services plenty as we’ve a few nice horses in the Gosdens and elsewhere and Frankie is always top of our list when he’s available.

“Hopefully he has a good season and goes off into retirement on a good note.”

Nostrum is another exciting prospect
Nostrum is another exciting prospect (Mike Egerton/PA)

Chaldean is one of two leading Guineas contenders for Juddmonte along with Sir Michael Stoute’s Nostrum, who was beaten two and a half lengths into third place in the Dewhurst.

While Mahon is not ruling out the possibility of the pair renewing rivalry over the Rowley Mile in the 2000 Guineas, connections could instead opt to split their aces.

He added: “It’s a nice position to be in having a number of nice two-year-olds heading into the winter and looking forward to their three-year-old campaigns.

“I suppose we might be a bit far away to be making plans about keeping them apart. In an ideal world I suppose we would like to keep them apart, with possibly one running in the English Guineas and the other go to France or Ireland.

“But there’s a lot of work to be done yet and if something had a little setback along the way it would be nice to have a replacement to fill in for the English 2000 Guineas.

“I think we’ll aim for both of them to head towards Newmarket for the time being and get a bit closer and sit down with the Abdullah family and see what they’d like to do.

“In fairness they were gallant enough to let both of them run in the Dewhurst, which was a brave call, and it was the right call in hindsight.

“Maybe it’s the case that they would like both of them to run (at Newmarket).”

A horse viewed as a possible Derby runner for the team is John and Thady Gosden’s Arrest.

Placed behind Nostrum on his introduction, he went on to win his next two starts before being narrowly denied by Dubai Mile in the Group One Criterium de Saint-Cloud.

Mahon said: “John and Thady were always very bullish about him from July onwards. I happened to be there in July and they said to me that he was the colt that was standing out to them at the time.

“He’s a very nice horse and ran a good race on his debut, the form of which has worked out very well with Nostrum finishing in front of him, and then he went on and won his two novices nicely.

“It was a big jump up from him at Saint-Cloud. He was a very immature horse and unfortunately the ground that day was horrendous – the jockeys said it was as deep as you would ever get ground.

“He ran a good race and I think his weakness maybe caught him out in the last 50 yards when Mark Johnston’s horse came past him.

“He’ll start off in a Derby trial and could go to Sandown and follow the Westover route from last year – Sandown, Epsom and the Curragh.

“He’s a nice prospect and I hope he can make up into a nice middle-distance three-year-old.”

Mahon also gave mention to two maiden winners who have not yet tested their powers at the highest level, but could do before the year is out.

He added: “We have a filly called Bluestocking who won her maiden at Salisbury for Ralph Beckett, she’s a filly we like a lot. She’s very much a three-year-old type and being by Camelot she’s bred to want 10 or 12 furlongs.

“Then there is a filly called Coppice for John and Thady Gosden. She won her maiden first time out on the all-weather and she’s a sister to Calyx.

“I think John and Thady are taking her along nice and slow. It all depends how she winters and how she is in the spring, but I think if John and Thady feel that she’s in good form and her work is forward enough, there’s every chance she’ll start off in a Guineas trial.

“If she’s a little bit slow to come to hand we’ll be conservative and might go for a novice and aim towards bigger prizes in the summer, rather than pushing her to go to the Guineas.

“I think she’ll stay well. She broke her maiden over seven furlongs and hit the line very strong that day, so I don’t think she’ll have any problem with the mile.”