Frankie Dettori marks his last Royal Ascot with win on Gregory

The 13th race at Royal Ascot 2023 proved to be the charm for Frankie Dettori, as he put behind him his significant setbacks on the opening day and finally got a winner on the board at his last Royal meeting. Dettori seized control of the Queen’s Vase from the off aboard Gregory, the even-money favourite, and simply refused to yield as Saint George and Oisin Murphy ground their way to within a head of the leader in the straight.

It was the moment that Dettori and also the meeting had needed and, having fought off Saint George after he came alongside a furlong out, Gregory stayed on again to finish a length and a half clear at the line. It was a performance with “St Leger” running through it like a watermark and Gregory is now favourite for the final British Classic of the season, and also of Dettori’s long career.

“I thought this winner was never going to come this year,” Dettori said. “I had three seconds yesterday, but I knew this would be my best chance.

“I was in front a long time and when Oisin came to me, I thought: ‘Oh no, not second again.’ To ride a winner at my last Royal Ascot is fantastic. It’s great, my family is here, it’s the only day they all are. He jumped great and got to the front and I knew he stayed very well.”

Dettori is still pondering whether to appeal against a nine-day ban for careless riding imposed by the stewards on Tuesday after he was found to have caused significant interference aboard Saga shortly after the start of the Wolferton Stakes.

The suspension is scheduled to rule him out of the Eclipse Stakes at Sandown next month, when he is due to ride Emily Upjohn, the current favourite.

“Yesterday, Chaldean ran super and found one too good,” Dettori said of his runner-up in the St James’s