Frankie Dettori | Horse Racing Free Tips

Dettori and Dancing Brave Inducted Into QIPCO British Champions Series Hall of Fame

Charismatic international jockey Frankie Dettori and 1980s legend Dancing Brave (Lyphard) are the two newest members of the QIPCO British Champions Series Hall of Fame. Launched in 2021, the Hall of Fame is specifically for UK Flat racing, and both inductees will be honoured through a special presentation moment ahead of the G1 QIPCO 2000 Guineas at Newmarket Racecourse on Saturday, Apr. 30.

Dettori, 51, is the third jockey to be inducted after Lester Piggott and Pat Eddery. He has ridden almost 3,300 British winners, third to Piggott and Willie Carson, as well as celebrated major victories in at least 24 countries. The Italian holds the record for scores in the G1 Prix de l'Arc de Tromphe, with six. One of Dettori's greatest triumphs in the saddle was riding all seven winners on a card at Ascot on Sept. 28, 1996. Dubbed the 'Magnificent Seven', the feat's cumulative odds were 25,051-1.

“Winning every race on a card was something that I didn't think was possible, not in my lifetime anyway,” Dettori recalled. “It's the biggest achievement of my career, without question.”

The reinsman also has 270 wins at the Group 1 level to date. In Britain, he has booted home the winners of 21 Classics, among them triumphs in the G1 Derby aboard Authorized (Ire) (Montjeu {Ire}) in 2008 and Golden Horn (GB) (Cape Cross {Ire}) in 2015. At Royal Ascot, he has 76 winners to his credit, second only to Piggott. Dettori has been named the top jockey at the Royal Meeting eight times.

Dettori said, “Joining the QIPCO British Champions Series Hall of Fame gives me an immense feeling of pride and I'm honoured for my career to be recognised in this way, placing me alongside others who I have looked up to my whole life. Lester was my idol when I came over from Italy and I was lucky to ride against him on a few occasions, while Pat was the most gifted horseman I have ever seen.

“When I first started out, my ambition was to be a mid-division jockey. This spiralled out of control early on; I quickly became Champion Jockey, I got an awesome job with Luca [Cumani], and the dream came alive. When I first set out on this path, I didn't quite believe in myself but, as things snowballed, I realised I could make it to become the jockey I am today.”

Trained by Guy Harwood for the late Prince Khalid Abdullah's Juddmonte operation, Dancing Brave is the sixth horse to enter the Hall of Fame, 36 years after his G1 2000 Guineas victory. Bred by Glen Oak Farm and Gainesway Farm in Kentucky, Dancing Brave was a $200,000 Fasig-Tipton Kentucky Summer Yearling Sale graduate and won both starts at two. The bay colt returned at three to take six races in 1986, including the G1 2000 Guineas, G1 Eclipse S., G1 King George VI and Queen Elizabeth S. and a strong renewal of the G1 Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe. His only losses were an unlucky second in the G1 Derby to Shahrastani (Nijinsky II) whom he beat in the Arc, and a fourth to Manila (Lyphard) in the GI Breeders' Cup Turf at Santa Anita in November of 1986. The colt was so highly thought of that since the International Classifications began in 1977, only Frankel (GB) (Galileo {Ire}), a Juddmonte homebred and fellow Hall of Famer, has been rated higher.

“On behalf of Prince Khalid's family, for Dancing Brave to be the second horse owned by him, after Frankel (GB), to be inducted into the QIPCO British Champions Series Hall of Fame is testament to Prince Khalid's passion and vision for the Thoroughbred,” said Douglas Erskine Crum, Chief Executive of Juddmonte. “It is another significant landmark in Prince Khalid's legacy which endures into the future. Everyone at Juddmonte is delighted that Dancing Brave has received this prestigious accolade.”

Added Harwood, “He was definitely the horse of the decade (1980s), if not amongst the top two or three in the last 40 years. What made him different to others was that most horses were specialists–either specialist milers, mile and a quarter or mile and a half–but Dancing Brave would have been a champion over any distance.

“My absolute standout memory of Dancing Brave has to be winning the Arc de Triomphe; it was one of the occasions where I had complete confidence that the horse was going to win. I was never in any doubt that he was at his best and at his best, he was unbeatable.”

The National Horseracing Museum in Newmarket has also established an official display for the Hall of Fame, providing visitors with an opportunity to find out more about some of the most adored and important stars of British Flat racing in person. To view videos of the inductees, please go to the Hall of Fame's website.

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Real World Aims For Zabeel Mile Win

The highlight of Friday's Dubai World Cup Carnival card is the G2 Zabeel Mile Presented By Emaar Beachfront. Saeed bin Suroor's Real World (Ire) (Dark Angel {Ire}) is riding a four-race winning streak since failing to win at the DWCC last term.

One of three in the race for Godolphin, the 5-year-old entire won Royal Ascot's Royal Hunt Cup in June and followed up in a Newbury listed affair a month later. Successful in the G3 Strensall S. versus Meydan Group 1 winner Lord Glitters (Fr) (Whipper) on Aug. 21, he clawed his way to victory in the G2 Prix Daniel Wildenstein when last seen on Oct. 2. Frankie Dettori was originally in the irons, but the Italian reinsman is off his mounts with covid, so Danny Tudhope takes his place.

“He's a different horse to the one we saw finishing placed three times last Carnival,” said Bin Suroor, who has won the Zabeel Mile in 2008 and 2012. “He really strengthened up and matured over the summer, progressing from handicaps to group company. He's been off the track since October, but we always planned to start him here, before looking at the Neom Turf Cup or the Saudi Cup. The G1 Jebel Hatta [sponsored by Emirates Airline] on Super Saturday could also be an option.”

Charlie Appleby's Godolphin pair of Zabeel Trophy hero Path Of Thunder (Ire) (Night Of Thunder {Ire}) and 2020 G3 Autumn S. winner One Ruler (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}) are also signed on. The former got the job done over course and distance defeating Shadwell's Moqtarreb (GB) (Kingman {GB}) last out on Jan. 7, while the latter ran sixth.

“He [Path of Thunder] kicked off his Carnival by winning a conditions race over a mile, so now he's forced himself into group company,” said Appleby, who has won this race five times already. “He should be competitive in the Zabeel Mile.”

First Classic of the Season

The two-for-two Shahama (Munnings) towers over the six-horse field for the Listed UAE 1000 Guineas Presented By Dubai Marina By Emaar. Unveiled going seven furlongs here on Dec. 9, the KHK Racing colourbearer drew off by nine lengths with Doug Watson's Minwah (Cupid) a distant second. Kept at that trip when returned to action on New Year's Day, the half-sister to two-time US champion Lookin At Lucky (Smart Strike) was named a 'TDN Rising Star' with another easy win in the UAE 1000 Guineas Trial for Fawzi Nass. Little Afrodite (Shackleford) was fourth that day, one better than Minwah. Three-time winner Hot Pink (Ire) (Bungle Inthejungle {GB}) is looking to return to the winner's circle after running fifth in her Meydan debut on Jan. 21.

Super Saturday Pointers

The 1200-metre Listed Dubai Sprint Presented By Dubai Creek Harbour By Emaar features a contentious field and Charlie Appleby sends out the duo of Man Of Promise (Into Mischief), who won this race last year, and Group 3 winner Lazuli (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}).

“He missed his intended start a couple of weeks ago after spiking a temperature”, said Appleby of Man Of Promise. “I didn't want to run him at less than 100% as he's a horse we think can be competitive at the Carnival. He's back on song now.”

Shadwell's Mutaraafa (Ire) (Acclamation {GB}), fresh off a victory in the Listed Dubai Dash on Jan. 14, two better than Motafaawit (Ire) (Intikhab), is also back for more. There is some Southern Hemisphere flavour with Will Clarken's group-placed Parsifal (NZ) (Darci Brahma {NZ}) fresh off the plane from Australia.

Among the field for the 2000-metre Listed Zabeel Turf Presented By The Valley By Emaar is 2021 G3 Dubai Millennium S. hero Star Safari (GB) (Sea The Stars {Ire}) for Godolphin and Charlie Appleby. Fourth in the Sept. 24 Listed Godolphin S. at Newmarket, the 6-year-old gelding was an encouraging second in the Listed Dubai Racing Club Classic locally on Jan. 14. Bin Suroor saddles Meydan handicap runner-up Dubai Mirage (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}). Hisaaki Saito trainee Integrant (Fr) (Frankel {GB}) is also one to watch, as he won the Listed Prix Lyphard at Deauville on Nov. 23.

The 2810-metre Listed Al Hail Trophy Presented By Dubai Hills Estate By Emaar features six horses bearing the royal blue of Godolphin. Dubai Future (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}) is a dual listed winner at Meydan and one of four in the race for Saeed bin Suroor. Fifth in the G1 Dubai Sheema Classic on Dubai World Cup night last year, he returned to take third at Kempton in November and was eighth to Lord Glitters (Fr) (Whipper) in the G3 Bahrain International Trophy. He ran out a 5 1/4-length winner of the Listed Dubai Racing Club Classic on Jan. 14. Charlie Appleby's pair of listed-placed Siskany (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}) and G2 Queen's Vase hero Kemari (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}) also take part, with Kemari running second in the G2 Prix Chaudenay in October.

Click here for the group field.

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Dettori Positive For Covid

Frankie Dettori has tested positive for Covid-19 and will therefore miss his rides at Meydan on Friday as he self isolates.

“I won't be riding this weekend, as I've tested positive for Covid,” the jockey said in a video posted to Twitter. “I'm restricted in my room for a few days. I'm feeling a bit under the weather, but I've had my vaccine so we should survive. I'll keep you posted, but I'm not going to be doing much anyway.”

The Saeed bin Suroor-trained Real World (Ire) (Dark Angel {Ire}) in the G2 Zabeel Mile was among the highlights of Dettori's rides at Friday's carnival meeting. Danny Tudhope has now been named on last year's G2 Prix Daniel Wildenstein winner.

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Dubai Carnival: Secret Ambition Tops Round 1 Of Al Maktoum Challenge

The 19th edition of the Dubai World Cup Carnival, the Dubai Racing Club's annual showpiece event, gets underway with an attractive seven-race card at Meydan Racecourse on Friday, Jan. 14.

With a range of new incentives in place, the eight-week extravaganza, which will culminate in the $30.5 million Dubai World Cup meeting on 26 March, has the potential to be one of the best in its history.

The Carnival gets underway with the opening rounds of the 1600 meter (one-mile) (Dirt) Al Maktoum Challenge series, for Thoroughbreds and Purebred Arabians and its main support race, the 1600m (Turf) Group 2 Cape Verdi for fillies and mares.

The card also features the first running of the Jumeirah Classic Trial; the first event in the exciting four-race Jumeirah Series which is dedicated to the Classic generation.

A full field of 14 thoroughbreds, many of them boasting big-race aspirations, will contest Round 1 of the Al Maktoum Challenge, a race of major significance and potential Dubai World Cup implications.

Arguably one of the best renewals of a race that was first run in 1994, the Group 2 contest has attracted the likes of 2021 Godolphin Mile (G2) winner Secret Ambition, Dubai World Cup fourth Hypothetical and Salute The Soldier, the Bahrain-owned gelding who won the second and third rounds of the series last season.

The full depth of the contest is driven home by the presence of two veteran former Al Maktoum Challenge winners, Kimbear (Round 1 2020) and Capezzano (Round 3, 2019), and four-time Meydan dirt scorer Thegreatcollection.

Former Godolphin-trained Imperial Empire is unbeaten in two starts this season for in-form handler Bhupat Seemar and will have the services of three-time Dubai World Cup-winning rider Frankie Dettori, who makes his highly anticipated seasonal debut in the UAE on Friday.

Seemar, who warmed up for the Carnival by saddling five winners on last week's card, is mob-handed with five contenders in Secret Ambition (Tadhg O'Shea), Imperial Empire, Kimbear (Antonio Fresu), Kafoo (William Buick) and Avant Garde (Richard Mullen).

Assessing the chances of his quintet, the trainer said: “This is the best Al Maktoum Challenge we've had in years. All five are in good form and ready to run. We have a nice mix of old pros and newer horses.

“Secret Ambition has a good draw (Stall 5), is fit, healthy, and good to go.

“Kafoo is drawn 10 but is unbeaten this season. He's doing everything right. I only hope inexperience doesn't catch him because he's definitely got the talent to be up there to compete against this class of horses,” he added.

“Imperial Empire is a Dubawi and is a half-brother to a Group 1 winner, so hopefully he should show up.

“Kimbear ran a good race on his debut for us but unfortunately he's drawn a bit on the outside (Stall 11), while Avant Garde is doing really well. This is his minimum trip, he would rather go over a mile and quarter, but it's a good place to start him.”

O'Shea backs Secret Ambition

UAE champion jockey Tadhg O'Shea has already ridden 30 winners this season, with half of them coming at Meydan, and the popular Irish rider said that he was looking forward to mixing it up with the best jockeys in the Al Maktoum Challenge when he rides the international favorite, Secret Ambition.

“His form speaks for itself and though he runs after a lengthy layoff he should run a very good race,” said the rider. “Whatever he does he will improve for it.”

Champion UAE handler Doug Watson sampled success in the 2020 Al Maktoum Challenge R1 with Kimbear and is set to saddle three contenders – Midnight Sands,, Golden Goal and Thegreatcollection.

He commented: “They're all doing well at home. We were a bit disappointed with Midnight Sands last time but it was his first run after a long lay-off. He's been training well since.

“Thegreatcollection and Golden Goal are both in great shape. They both ran well recently after being off for the track for eight to nine months. It looks like they've come on so we're hoping they all run well.”

Emirati handler Ahmad bin Harmash sends out Listed Dubai Creek Mile runner-up and former Godolphin galloper Eastern World.

“He had his first start on dirt recently and he ran very well, so it looks like can handle the surface,” said Bin Harmash. “He's a new horse who we got at the September sale, but he is well bred and is a half-brother to Thunder Snow. I think he will run well.”

Godolphin seek to extend dominance

The 1600m Cape Verdi (G2), a race named after Godolphin's 1998 1000 Guineas heroine, has been won by the stable on no less than nine occasions and Soft Whisper looks primed to continue that trend on Friday.

Trainer by Saeed Bin Suroor, who has collected five Cape Verdi trophies over the years, Soft Whisper was an impressive winner of the UAE 1000 Guineas last season before having two starts at Newmarket in the UK. She won well over a mile but perhaps did not stay over an extended 2,000 metres in her subsequent outing in October.

Bin Suroor, an eight-time champion trainer at the Carnival, is looking for his first win of the year and believes that Soft Whisper (Frankie Dettori) can get him off the mark by taking out the Cape Verdi.

“She ran well last year, here in Dubai and also when we took her back to England. She won Listed races on both dirt and turf,” he said. “This looks like it is the right race to start her four-year-old campaign as she has been pleasing us at home.”

Bin Suroor also saddles three-time UK scorer Stunning Beauty under young English rider Hector Crouch, who is seeking a first Pattern race success for the Emirati handler.

“Stunning Beauty showed better form in the UK last season and has been going well at home, so I'm hoping for a nice performance over a trip that suits,” said Bin Suroor.

Watson's Mnasek a threat

The main threat to the Bin Suroor pair appears to be the Doug Watson-trainer Mnasek, winner of the 2021 UAE Oaks (G3) on dirt. She makes her turf debut with stable jockey Pat Dobbs in the saddle.

The last three renewals of the Cape Verdi have been taken out by two-time Epsom Derby-winning handler Charlie Appleby who relies on Wedding Dance (William Buick). She won her most recent start on the all-weather at Wolverhampton in November.

Appleby said: “Wedding Dance improved from her first to second run last season, winning nicely at Wolverhampton on the latter occasion.

“The plan was always to bring her out to Dubai afterwards and we have been pleased with the way she has been training out here. She will potentially come forward for this, but we feel that she is ready to have a run and should be competitive.”

The Carnival kicks off at 6.00 pm (UAE time) with the eight-runner Purebred Arabian Group 1 Al Maktoum Challenge R1, Presented By The Pointe. The line-up includes the last two winners of this, RB Money To Burn and Brraq, as well as exciting G2 Bani Yas winner RB Rich Lyke Me.

Exciting series for Classic generation

Elsewhere on the card, the Jumeirah Classic Trial, Presented By Palm Jumeirah, has drawn eight promising three-year-olds, led by Bin Suroor's Home City (Frankie Dettori). He comes into the race off the back of a promising second in a 1400 metre nursery at Goodwood last October.

Appleby is represented by Sovereign Prince, who was also successful in the UK last season, winning at Epsom on his most recent start in September.

Another interesting contest is the Listed Dubai Racing Club Classic, Presented By The View At The Palm, over 2,400 metres on turf.

Appleby's Wilko, winner of the Blue Riband Trial at Epsom in April last year, and Bin Suroor's Passion And Glory, third in the G1 Grosser Preis Von Baden in September, look the pick of the 16 runners.

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