Already a subscriber? Log in
Jockeys, too, thanks to fitness programmes and access to good dieticians, are definitely lasting longer. Poetic Flare was ridden by Bolger’s son-in-law Kevin Manning who is 54. Palace Pier, odds-on victor in the Queen Anne Stakes, was ridden by 50-year-old Frankie Dettori and although Frankie could not delight the crowd with a fourth Gold Cup win for the old hero Stradivarius, the worthy winner of that race too, Subjectivist, was ridden by 50-year-old Joe Fanning. Maybe in the Shergar Cup this year they should field a new team called the Veterans.
Frankie’s mentor in middle age, trainer John Gosden, now sharing horse-handling duties with son Thady, has trained many Royal Ascot winners but it hasn’t made him cynical. Asked if he was nervous about the 2-7 Palace Pier’s chances his reply was: ‘If you are odds-on like that it would be a bit odd if you weren’t nervous because the only thing around the corner is a banana skin.’ Ascot, let us remember, faced potential banana skins too. It was taking part, at considerable cost, in the government’s Events Research Programme to show that bigger sporting crowds can be safely managed. To the benefit of all in racing, they proved the point with style.
Because you read about frankie dettori
Latest
Comments
Join the debate for just $5 for 3 months
Be part of the conversation with other Spectator readers by getting your first three months for $5.
UNLOCK ACCESS Just $5 for 3 monthsAlready a subscriber? Log in