Dettori lands 80th Royal Ascot win with Porta Fortuna

Molly Hunter and Simon Milham
June 23, 2023 1:57 pm

Albany victor a first success as a trainer for Donnacha O’Brien.

Porta Fortuna registered an impressive success in the Albany Stakes to provide Frankie Dettori with his 80th Royal Ascot win.

Having ridden Gregory and Courage Mon Ami to success, the retiring Italian notched up his third victory of the week when guiding the Donnacha O’Brien-trained youngster to a one-length triumph.

A winner of a Group Three at Naas over this six-furlong distance on her previous start, the daughter of Caravaggio put her experience to good use with a professional display in Berkshire.

Porta Fortuna leads them home in the Albany Stakes
It’s another winner for @FrankieDettori
He brings up number 80 at Royal Ascot!#ITVRacing | #RoyalAscot pic.twitter.com/pWBBRVai84

— ITV Racing (@itvracing) June 23, 2023

Having cruised stylishly into contention passing the two-furlong marker, the well-backed 5-1 winner responded gamely to her rider’s urgings in the closing stages as Dettori pushed his mount out with vigour to hold off the Aidan O’Brien trained Matrika, who finished second having been up with the pace throughout.

The trainer enjoyed many big days in the saddle, but was securing his first winner at the summer showpiece in the training ranks, joining his father and brother Joseph on the Royal Ascot roll of honour.