THE Ebor was all about one Man as Frankie Dettori produced a masterclass to steal the show.
The Italian somehow fought back on Trawlerman to snatch a brilliant victory from Alfred Boucher in a thrilling photo finish in what will go down as one of legend’s best ever rides.
It was the Frankie Dettori show at York as he took both the big races
Frankie treated the York punters to a trademark flying dismount after his win on Trawlerman
From a horror draw in the car park, Frankie took the Golden Horn route and kept Trawlerman wide for the entire back straight before swooping to the front on the long turn in.
Ten lengths clear, he was able to get a breather in but it looked like he would be gobbled up in the long straight.
Even after he was swamped by Earl Of Tyrone and the runner-up three furlongs out, Frankie managed to find more from Trawlerman.
He timed his finishing dash to perfection to deny brave Alfred Boucher a famous double after Ian Williams’ horse struck earlier in the week.
It went to the photo finish
but Trawlerman takes the Sky Bet Ebor Handicap by a nose
It's another win for @FrankieDettori and @godolphin #ITVRacing | @yorkracecourse pic.twitter.com/3HnDHNyTLj
— ITV Racing (@itvracing) August 20, 2022
To think we nearly lost Frankie earlier this summer. He’s still got it alright.
His gaffer and Trawlerman’s trainer John Gosden said: “When the draw came out I didn’t even have to speak to Frankie, we just looked at each other.
“The only reason the split ever happened was because I couldn’t get his attention, I couldn’t get him to concentrate!
“In the end it needed a bit of a public warning, we left him on the bench so to speak.
“And then today he’s won the two big races, when he’s in the zone he’s absolutely top class.
“When he’s not he’s an absolute menace!”
Frankie also took the day’s other big race, the City Of York Stakes, on Kinross and was in typically fine form after both.
But with memories of his infamous early celebrations at the same track on Lady Aurelia in the 2013 Nunthorpe in his mind, Frankie took his time before lapping it up.
He laughed: “I knew it was close but there was no way I was celebrating! That Nunthorpe with Marsha scarred me for life!
“We went miles clear and I didn’t know if the horse was tired or just relaxed.
“A couple went past us and I thought ‘uh oh’, but he picked up again and I knew we had a shout. That was some race!”
Did you miss our previous article…
https://www.sportingexcitement.com/horse-racing/glamorous-racegoers-flaunt-their-bare-legs-in-eye-catching-frocks-and-fascinators-as-they-hit-ladies-day-at-chester/
