Dettori remembers ‘electric’ atmosphere on day of his Magnificent Seven

Graham Clark
December 15, 2020 12:15 am

First Derby success another lasting memory as ever-popular Italian celebrates 50th birthday.

From the Magnificent Seven, to his days with Saeed bin Suroor and the more recent glorious times with John Gosden, Frankie Dettori has enjoyed some unforgettable days in his career to date:

Dettori on his ‘Magnificent Seven’ – the day he went through the card at Ascot in 1996:

A young Frankie Dettori with Mark of Esteem, who formed part of his Magnificent Seven (Adam Butler/PA)

“To win seven races in a day, and be the first jockey to get there and go through the card was fantastic. It doesn’t really get much better than that, even more so as it was at Ascot.

“Winning that last race aboard Fujiyama Crest was unbelievable and the atmosphere was electric afterwards. You couldn’t have made it up.”

Dettori on his first Derby win in 2007, which came at the 15th attempt:

Frankie Dettori celebrates a first Derby victory on Authorized (Rebecca Naden/PA)

“Victory in the Derby on Authorized was special as it was the last British Classic I had to win. It did go through my mind that I might never win the race.

“When you start as a professional you want to conquer your sport. It was the last piece of the jigsaw that was missing.

“I felt not only a great sense of relief, but pride as I was one of only a few jockeys to have won every single Classic, not many can say that.

“I probably didn’t get to enjoy the day as much as when I won the race on Golden Horn, but it was still very special.”

Dettori on his time riding for Saeed bin Suroor, which included Dubai World Cup glory aboard Dubai Millennium:

Frankie Dettori and Saeed bin Suroor have recently been reunited (David Davies/PA)

“I had 18 years with Saeed. I won over 100 Group Ones for him and we had some amazing horses go through our hands.

“Dubai Millennium was a special horse and when you rode him he was a beast, especially that night in the 2000 Dubai World Cup.

“Lammtarra was my first Arc winner in 1995 and there are the likes of Fantastic Light, Daylami, Sakhee, Cape Verde and Mark Of Esteem. Where do you draw the line.

“I’ve got all the pictures and newspaper reports from that time as it was a big part of my life I will never forget.”

Dettori on reuniting with John Gosden in 2014:

John Gosden has reignited Frankie Dettori's career in recent years — John Gosden has reignited Frankie Dettori’s career in recent years (Edward Whitaker/PA)

“When I went to John’s first time he was like a father figure, as I was only 22 at the time. When I came back over 20 years later he was more like my old mate.

“If you look at the last five or six years since Golden Horn won the Derby in 2015, what haven’t we won together?

“The horses we have had have been amazing and long may it continue. We have this connection that I don’t have with anybody else and I can’t quite explain what it is, but the results speak for themselves. He is more than just a great trainer, but a great friend.”

Dettori on plans for the next few months:

Frankie Dettori can look forward to Stradivarius again next season (Dan Abraham/PA)

“Apart from Enable most of John’s good horses stayed in training, which is great news It is my off-season now and it is my time to chill out so I’m not really thinking too much about the Flat season.

“We will do Christmas and New Year then regroup. I will probably head to the Middle East. I think Dubai is a good strategic place. I will do a bit of riding in Qatar, Bahrain and Saudi Arabia.

“There is a lot going on early in the year.”