Dettori will be looking to add to his 77 winners at Royal Ascot when he gets in the saddle for his final meeting, especially after he endured a miserable 2022 at the Berkshire track.
With Hollywoodbets Kenilworth’s Tuesday meeting postponed due to the ongoing rain, it gives us a chance to zero in on Royal Ascot, which kicks off on Tuesday 20 June 2023.
This will be the final time that the Italian legend will ride at Royal Ascot, and we’re likely to see plenty of flying dismounts throughout the week. Let’s take a look at his upcoming rides this week.
Tuesday 20 June
INSPIRAL – Queen Anne Stakes (15:30)
INSPIRAL can get Dettori’s final Royal Ascot off to the best possible start in the Queen Anne Stakes.
Trained by John and Thady Gosden, the Cheveley Park Stud-owned filly got the Italian out of a bit of a hole 12 months ago when coming from an unpromising position to win the Coronation Stakes.
GIVEMETHEBEATBOYS – Coventry Stakes (14:05)
Jessica Harrington’s GIVEMETHEBEATBOYS maintained his unbeaten record with a narrow victory in the GAIN Marble Hill Stakes at the Curragh when last out, and has solid claims in the Coventry Stakes.
MANACCAN – King’s Stand Stakes (14:40)
The four-year-old ended last season in rude health, winning Listed races at Doncaster and Ascot, plus a Group Three at Dundalk.
He began this season conceding weight in the Palace House Stakes at Newmarket under Dettori and having been drawn on the wrong side of a rain-softened track, ran admirably to be beaten just a length and a half by Vadream.
CHALDEAN – St James’s Stand Stakes (15:20)
Andrew Balding’s CHALDEAN provided Dettori with victory in his final 2000 Guineas at Newmarket last month.
SAGA – Wolferton Stakes (16:35)
Dettori will ride SAGA for the King and Queen in the Wolferton Stakes, with the Gosden-trained runner having come within a head of victory for the late Queen at last year’s meeting.
The son of Invincible Spirit is again among the main hopes for the royals, having opened his four-year-old campaign with a head defeat to King Of Conquest over nine furlongs at Newmarket.
ABSURDE – Copper Horse Handicap (17:10)
Wednesday 21 June
TAMARAMA – Kensington Palace Fillies Handicap (14:05)
REACH FOR THE MOON – Royal Hunt Cup (16:00)
Dettori will partner REACH FOR THE MOON, who was expected to land the Hampton Court at the meeting last year, only for the 2/5 favourite to be downed by Claymore. He was also second at Royal Ascot in 2021, to Point Lonsdale in the Chesham.
After being gelded over the winter, the one-time Derby hope was last of seven on his seasonal bow in the Earl of Sefton Stakes at Newmarket.
Gregory – Queen’s Vase (16:35)
Thursday 22 June
NO NAY METS – Norfolk Stakes (13:30)
Dettori is set to partner baseball star Alex Bregman’s NO NAY METS in the Norfolk Stakes.
Trained by American George Weaver and owned by the Houston Astros’ third baseman’s Bregman Family Racing, the son of No Nay Never booked his ticket when landing the ‘win and you’re in’ Royal Palm Juvenile Stakes by an impressive three and a half lengths at Gulfstream in May, and will now attempt to become the third US-trained winner of the Group Two Norfolk.
BLUE STOKING – Ribblesdale Stakes (14:40)
COURAGE MON AMI – Gold Cup (15:20)
QUANTUM IMPACT – Briannia Stakes (16:00)
EPICTETUS – Hampton Court Stakes (16:35)
Friday 23 June
Porta Fortuna – Albany (13:30)
ARREST – King Edward VII Stakes (14:05)
Was sent off favourite at the Epsom Derby for Dettori and the Gosdens, but failed to handle the track on the fast ground and finished down the field in 10th place.
LEZOO – Commonwealth Cup (15:20)
COPPICE – Sandringham Stakes (16:35)
Others to follow once declarations are made.
