The bookies had a nightmare at Royal Ascot yesterday thanks to Frankie Dettori winning the first four races.
It is thought it cost betting firms millions – and it could have been even worse had the jockey not been overhauled late on in the fifth.
At one stage the ashen-faced bookies feared the Italian, 48, was going to win all six races, which would have cost them an estimated £180million.
It brought back memories of Frankie’s feat at Ascot in 1996 when he triumphed in all seven races in a day.
Nicola McGeady, from Ladbrokes, said yesterday: “We are hugely relieved to have avoided the worst case scenario of a magnificent six but we’re by no means celebrating.
A four-timer for the most popular jockey at the biggest meeting of the flat season is a shocking result and can only be described as a bloodbath.”
Frankie’s 449-1 winning streak began on A’Ali which came first at odds of 5-1. The jockey made it two out of two on Sangarius (13-2), then three from three on Star Catcher (4-1).
He then won the Gold Cup – the biggest race of the five-day festival in Berkshire – on Stradivarius (evens).
Frankie marked the triumph with his trademark victory
celebration – a leaping dismount.
The Queen was on hand to congratulate him on his stunning string of winners.
