FRANKIE DETTORI drove Chaldean to a "so surreal" 2,000 Guineas triumph as the legendary jockey's farewell tour bore Classic glory at the first attempt.
His first mount on a momentous day saw Dettori come a fast-finishing second on Saga, carrying the royal silks of newly crowned King Charles III and Queen Camilla.
But the 52-year-old Italian, whose own reign at the top of the sport will end in the autumn, savoured victory in the QIPCOsponsored test over an hour later as the Andrew Balding-trained 7-2 chance fought up the hill to beat 125-1 outsider Hi Royal by a length and a half, with Royal Scotsman half a length back in third.
"Once I got rid of Oisin, it all started coming down on me - Is this really happening? I can't believe this is happening to me," said Dettori, who announced in December that 2023 would be the final season of his legendary career.
This story is from the May 07, 2023 edition of The Sunday Mirror.
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This story is from the May 07, 2023 edition of The Sunday Mirror.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
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