British Champions Sprint: Dettori dominates at Ascot as Kinross takes another Group One
Dettori enjoyed another Group One prize at his beloved Ascot as Ralph Beckett's Kinross much too good in the Sprint; in the following race, Emily Upjohn quickened away from her rivals in the Fillies & Mares Stakes
Saturday 15 October 2022 17:11, UK
Frankie Dettori pushed any thoughts of retirement out of his mind as he weaved more magic on Champions Day at Ascot with a Group One double on Kinross and Emily Upjohn.
A well-backed favourite throughout the morning, Dettori and Kinross always looked to be on the right part of the track and travelled smoothly behind a hot pace in a big field.
And as that pace slackened, the duo - who teamed up for a Group One over seven furlongs at ParisLongchamp earlier this month - picked up and quickened away to have over two lengths in hand at the line.
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The 150/1 outsider Run To Freedom chased home the winner for Henry Candy, with Creative Force back in third for champion jockey William Buick.
A jubilant Dettori said: "Ralph has been training fantastically this year. Two Group Ones in the space of two weeks for Kinross and we will take him to America now (Breeders' Cup Mile).
"I kicked earlier than I usually would with him. I know seven is his optimum trip so I said 'let's go, come and catch me'.
"Kinross loves the conditions, Ralph has found the key to this horse, he keeps him happy at home and doesn't do much with him. He is in tremendous form."
Trainer Beckett confirmed after the race that Kinross could head to the Breeders' Cup at Keeneland next month, live on Sky Sports Racing.
Emily delivers the Dettori double
Emily Upjohn brought up the Group One double in the following race, blowing away her rivals in the Qipco British Champions Fillies & Mares Stakes for John & Thady Gosden.
The three-year-old filly bounced right back to her best at Ascot, pulling clear to win by three lengths from Thunder Kiss (50/1) and Insinuendo (80/1) who followed her home in second and third.
She looked at have the world at her feet when a narrow and possibly unlucky second in the Cazoo Oaks earlier this season, before a very disappointing last of sixth in the King George at Ascot in July.
But this was a return to form and arguably a career best, with a delighted Dettori hailing the filly after the race.
"It would have been heartbreaking not to win a Group One with this filly this year after what happened at Epsom in the Oaks," said Dettori.
"She's won a Group One, I'm delighted and she will stay in training next year.
"Nothing went right at Epsom, then for some reason she ran no race in the King George. John and the owners decided to give her a break. I've been riding her last couple of mornings and she has been given me the 'wow' factor again.
"It's an amazing job the team has done. After four months to be pitched into a Group One and do what she did is amazing."
'Not done yet, but maybe next year'
Dettori, 51, sparked fresh talk of his retirement before racing at Ascot after revealing to The Sun he was considering calling it a day next year.
When questioned about his plans after victory on Kinross, Dettori said: "I might. It is a possibility. But I didn't say I was going to. I will keep it going. Everybody is always asking. So I always tell them it is a possibility.
"I'm ending the season well, this is a massively important day, there's lots going on. I was unlucky with my draw in the Arc (on Torquator Tasso, second) with 18, I've lost a couple of Group Ones through suspension (Lezoo and Commissioning), but overall I can't complain. I'm not retiring yet!
"I'll do the last Newmarket meeting then fly to Keeneland, I've got five or six rides at the Breeders' Cup."
