08 September 2023 , 14:53
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The identity of Frankie Dettori’s last ride in a British Classic has been revealed.
Dettori, who retires from the saddle at the end of the year, will bid for his seventh victory in the oldest Classic in the calendar on one of John and Thady Gosden’s runners. The powerful Newmarket stable has as many as four candidates at Doncaster for the race it has won five times.
Royal Ascot winner Gregory, the sponsor’s favourite, leads a team which includes Melrose Stakes winner Middle Earth, Lion’s Pride and Arrest. According to John Gosden, Gregory will be Dettori’s mount with Arrest more likely to miss the race for a target in France.
Dettori has won the St Leger six times and is in the midst of a glorious summer in the saddle, his latest big race success winning the £1 million Juddmonte International on Mostahdaf last month.
Gosden said: “I think the great world tour is going exceptionally well. He rolls into Deauville for one ride and wins the Prix Jacques Le Marois.
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“He wins the Juddmonte International at York, Ascot Gold Cup, 2,000 Guineas and he won the Dubai Turf earlier this year as well, so I think the world tour is going extremely well and I’m sure he’d love to cap it off at Doncaster in the final Classic.”
Gregory finished third on his latest start in the Great Voltigeur Stakes behind Continuous at York.
Frankie Dettori celebrating on Gregory at Royal Ascot (AFP via Getty Images)“He came out of the race at York in very good order,” said Gosden. “If the weather is set fair at Doncaster that won’t bother him with it being top of the ground. I think he’ll enjoy the distance.”
He added: “Middle Earth ran a lovely race in the Melrose and I’m really happy with him. He has a very strong likelihood, all being well with his bloods and scopes, to be supplemented.
“Arrest is in top order but I think if it’s good-to-firm at Doncaster I think you’ll find him heading to Paris for the Prix Chaudenay rather than Doncaster. There’s a likelihood Lion’s Pride will run in the race as well, after all there’s only one St Leger.”