02 May 2023 , 10:22
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Frankie Dettori began a huge week in the saddle when he completed the full house of Classics in Italy.
The superstar jockey had won three of the four big races in his home country but not the Premio Parioli, the Italian 2,000 Guineas.
On his final ride in the race before he retires, the 52-year-old ticked the race off his bucket list by triumphing on 4-6 favourite Vero Atleto at the Capannelle in Rome.
Dettori, who had finished runner-up in the race four times, emulated his father Gianfranco who won the Classic in 1989 and 1991.
“Finally after 35 years, and being second four times, I have finally done it,” said Dettori.
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“I had one last go and I’ve got the full house now and I can retire happy.
“I had the pick of the race and everyone wanted me to ride their horses. I picked the best three-year-old and he won in style, he was great.
“He was the champion two-year-old and we had a lot of rain and a mile was a bit on the short side. He will be a good candidate for the Italian Derby. He won in very good style and it was a great day.
“It was a bit emotional and everyone made a big fuss of me and it is nice to be able to retire and say I have won the 2000, 1000, Derby and the Oaks. It was great to be able to come back to my homeland despite the weather being bad.”
Dettori, who finished third in the Premio Regina Elena (Italian 1,000 Guineas), will be back at Newmarket on Saturday and Sunday to ride in the Qipco 2,000 Guineas and 1,000 Guineas.
He is set to partner Chaldean in the colt’s Classic, the horse he fell off exiting the stalls at Newbury last month.
“I went to Chaldean at the weekend at Andrew Balding’s and everything was fine,” he said.
“I’m possibly going to ride Lezoo in the 1000 Guineas, she won the Cheveley Park and the season starts now really.
“It’s a shame we’ve had a lot of rain at the moment but we’ve got lots to look forward to.”