FRANKIE produced another Hollywood moment when snatching victory from the jaws of defeat in the Dubai World Cup.
No-one outperforms Dettori on the big stage, and he produced a masterclass under the bright lights at Meydan on Country Grammer.
Country Grammer led close home to win the Dubai World Cup at Meydan
Dettori performed his trademark flying dismount after the race
The Italian, 51, was pushing his horse along from virtually the word ‘go’ but somehow lifted him home to bag the £9 million race.
It completed a big, Dettori double in Dubai, after John Gosden’s Lord North had earlier dead-heated with Japanese horse Panthalassa in the Turf.
The most lucrative leg of the pair never looked likely at any stage, as the hot favourite Life Is Good bowled along in an easy lead.
It was a miracle that Dettori hadn’t run out of puff by the time they reached the home straight, as he was pushing and shoving at his horse from miles out.
But he is still as fit as a butcher’s dog and sensed the long-time leader was coming to the end of his tether with the winning pole in sight.
He threw the kitchen sink at Country Grammer and the horse surged ahead in the final strides to give the top jock his fourth win in the race – 22 years after his first.
Dettori said: “It was so surreal when I hit the furlong pole and I knew I was going to win.
“I had to work hard but it is an amazing feeling, to have the crowd back and on my side is amazing.
“Bob is a great friend of mine, I’m so happy. I feel like I could keep going ’til I’m 80!”