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Frankie Dettori the deadliest shooter in town as he guns down Oaks field to take yet another Classic

, Frankie Dettori the deadliest shooter in town as he guns down Oaks field to take yet another Classic

IN any game of cowboys and Indians, you want the deadliest six shooter in town – and they don’t come any sharper than Frankie Dettori.

He proved it once again yesterday, as Snowfall didn’t so much run ‘em out of town as into the ground, in a record-breaking Oaks romp.

Smiles for the camera from Dettori
Another day, another trophy for the Italian

The filly cast aside by Ryan Moore had the rest in her pocket before they’d even come around Tattenham Corner, as Frankie roared home an astonishing 16 lengths clear.

A 21st British Classic for the Italian – half a dozen of them in the Oaks – and a triumph that amazed even the seen-it-all-before jockey.

Dettori, making the most of Moore picking the wrong Aidan O’Brien runner for the second time in a Classic this year, gasped: “Unbelievable – I was like a hot knife through butter.

“I had everything beat completely coming round Tattenham Corner. It was a little bit like playing cowboys and Indians…and I was a cowboy with the gun.

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“I wanted a better position but everyone was going way too fast. Everyone was fighting to get in the first three so I thought I’d let them get on with it.  

“But four out I looked in front and they’d all gone. I knew I was at least eight in front in the end, but it’s remarkable.

“I pulled up at the stables and everyone else by the winning post! I’ve won many classics but not as easy as this.”

A fistful of dollars – well just over £224,000 to be accurate – snatched so easily even Jesse James would have been nodding in admiration.

But spare a penny for Moore’s thoughts, as he trailed home fifth – nearly 22 lengths adrift – on hot favourite Santa Barbara.

In the 1,000 Guineas he picked the same filly ahead of Aidan O’Brien’s other runner Mother Earth…and Frankie was the hero.

Yesterday it was the same story . At least he can’t make it a horrible hat-trick in today’s Derby, when he rides hot pot Bolshoi Ballet – O’Brien’s only running one in the colts’ classic!

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Mind you, when it comes to the masterful Irish trainer, there is no such thing as an also-ran. And boy, isn’t Dettori glad about that.

He added: “Obviously I ride for John (Gosden) and unfortunately he’s had no classic runners this year and I was able to jump on a couple for the Coolmore team.

“I’m very lucky, because the second, third or fourth string are always just as good, so you never know where it’s going to land.

“This is a race that’s been good to me. The Oaks was my first classic and I am still talking to you, riding the big races and the good horses. I will take that – I’m happy.”

Frankie’s latest call-up drew him level with the great Fred Archer in terms of Classic wins, and you wouldn’t even put Lester Piggott’s all-time high of 30 beyond him, even aged 50.

, Frankie Dettori the deadliest shooter in town as he guns down Oaks field to take yet another Classic

It rained and then there was a Snowfall at Epsom

, Frankie Dettori the deadliest shooter in town as he guns down Oaks field to take yet another Classic

Snowfall in a league of her own at Epsom

He joked: “I actually watched a documentary on Fred Archer yesterday and have equalled his record.

“That’s what inspired me…I thought ‘God, if I win one more I will equal the great man.’ I’m only nine behind Lester, and have only got ten years, so I am on my way!”

It was a victory not even the mighty Enable, who Frankie rode to glory in 2017, could match, as she “only” won by five lengths.

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The way Snowfall, the 11-2 third favourite, romped it here, had the winning pilot making favourable comparisons.

Frankie insisted: “Enable was very good, she did the King George, Irish Oaks and Arc, but I wouldn’t put it past her, she’s that good. Now for champagne!”

Martin Dwyer was another with good reason to pop a few corks, after riding the gutsy Pyledriver to a get-back-up win on the line over Al Aasy in the Coronation Cup.

It was a first Group One triumph for the horse no-one wanted when the £10,000 reserve price wasn’t met at the sales as a foal.

And a tear-jerking victory for the veteran Scouse jockey, who was damp-eyed at the end, joking: “I don’t know what came over me, I got a bit emotional at the end there.”

Dwyer won the 2006 Derby, but the glory days have been thin on the ground since, and he admitted: “Half my worry was losing the ride – it’s not easy when you’re not fashionable.

“When I started out I’d lose rides to the likes of Pat Eddery and Walter Swinburn but since I reached 40 it’s gone the other way, and they want the younger jockeys!

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“But I am only 45…Frankie must be what, 62! But I’ve always enjoyed it here…it’s a special place.”

It certainly was for these two old gunslingers yesterday.

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