Frankie Dettori proved yet again he is the king of Royal Ascot as he ruled the waves with a memorable double - highlighted by a masterful ride on Crystal Ocean to take the Prince Of Wales's Stakes.
It was the ebullient Italian's 62nd career winner at the Royal meeting, after he had opened his account for 2019 on Raffle Prize in the Queen Mary Stakes.
Even though he has been one of the most sought-after jockeys in the world for the last 30 years, he revealed he approached trainer Sir Michael Stoute for the ride. Re-live the action below:
- 2:30 Queen Mary Stakes
- 3:05 Queen's Vase
- 3:40 Prince of Wales's Stakes
- 4:20 Duke Of Cambridge Stakes
- 5:00 Royal Hunt Cup
- 5:30 Windsor Castle Stakes
- Pink Evens
- Green 3/1
- Yellow 3/1
- Purple 6/1
- Red 8/1
- Orange 10/1
- White 10/1
- Blue 10/1
32 year wait for a female rider in the winners enclosure could come to an end
A female winner is more likely to win today than any other day, potentially ending a 32-year wiat for a winner at Royal Ascot.
Betting number crunchers at StarSpreads.com say there’s a 40% chance of a female winner today, more than double the odds of any other day.
Female riders Nicola Currie, Hollie Doyle & Hayley Turner have 6 chances today including hotly-fancied Raising Sand in the 5.00.
Nicola Currie: Emten (2:30), Raising Sand (5:00), Paper Star (5:35)
Hollie Doyle: Nate The Great (3:05), Taxiwala (5:35)
Hayley Turner: Applecross (2:30)
Ascot's director of racing and communications Nick Smith said: "We want the race to go off before midnight in Japan, which brings with it a significantly higher audience.
"One of the keys to everything we do is international engagement, so with the blessing of ITV, who agree that raising our global audience and profile is important, we have switched the Prince of Wales's Stakes with the Duke of Cambridge Stakes.
"Had the circumstances needed us to move the Prince of Wales's to race two, we probably wouldn't have done it. Making it race three doesn't really matter, not least as it used to be the traditional position for the feature race."
Betway's Alan Alger said: "There was sun, rain and a number of ups and downs on the betting front on the opening day of Royal Ascot.
"Bookmakers were off to the perfect start as the first three home in the Queen Anne went under the radar for most punters at double-figure odds.
"Arizona and Blue Point were pretty painful results in the following two races, but, maybe most surprisingly, it was Ryan Moore and Aidan O'Brien who did us the biggest favour of the day in the feature race. Circus Maximus turning over both Too Darn Hot and Phoenix Of Spain in the St James's Palace was a great result and we're in a good spot heading into day two."
Wesley Ward on Kimari and Anna's Fast: "It's tough to split them, for sure.
"I think maybe Anna's Fast might have the fitness edge. Kimari was more impressive on her debut (won by 15 lengths), but she was hard ridden, whereas Anna's Fast was an eased-up winner.
"I think both fillies are very talented and if I had to call it I'd probably just go for Anna's Fast on fitness."
The Irish challenge is led by Willie McCreery's Ickworth, who followed up a debut win at Dundalk with an impressive Listed triumph at the Curragh.
"Ickworth is in good form. The more the ground dries the better, but there is to be rain on Tuesday night," said McCreery.
"I'm looking forward to it if we get good (ground) underfoot."
