52-year-old Frankie Dettori’s farewell tour was going to end in disappointment after he got a bitter taste in his first three races. In the Group 3 Stockholm Cup race, he secured the ninth position riding on Hard One To Please, last year’s winner. The race was won by Espen Hill trained and owned by Madeleine Smith. But, all was not lost for Dettori, who had one last race left: The Lanwades Stakes at Bro Park.
This was not Frankie Dettori’s first trip to Sweden. He had raced in the Stockholm Cup on a Godolphin horse, back in the year 1996, and visited the old Taby Park about ten years back. But this trip, which seemed fruitless, turned into a delight for the legend after winning his last race.
Equestrian jockey’s last race thrill
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Frankie Dettori is a legendary name in the equestrian sport. The Italian jockey is set to retire this year and is on his farewell tour. After the British Classic, the jockey had a nine-day hiatus and then headed to Sweden to take part in the race at Bro Park. His main aim was the Stockholm Cup, for which he partnered with the trainer Annike Bye Hansen to ride her trained Hard One To Please.
According to Racing Post, Dettori rode Annike Bye Hansen trained Takeko at the Stakes race. Takeko ran perfectly under the legend and secured a comfortable win for him. Hollie Doyle took second place at the Stakes riding William Haggas-trained Good Gracious.
Dettori’s horse Let’s Go Crazy was a 95-40 favourite for the Bro Park Sprint Championship, but claimed the third position in the race. Hollie Doyle won the race with Kevin Ryan-trained three-year-old Washington Heights. The son of Kevin Ryan explained that the owners of Washington Heights had “supported this meeting and had success out here before“. It was their idea, which was a success.
The Swedish Racing Authority officials appreciated Frankie Dettori’s presence and acknowledged that his influence brought the large crowd to the track. Dettori, on the other hand, was elated with the win and shared his thoughts.
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Equestrian jockey happy with the visit
After the completion of racing day at Bro Park and claiming victory in his last race, Frankie Dettori was a happy person. He said that it was nice to win at Bro Park despite an average start. The 52-year-old thanked everyone and acknowledged that he enjoyed the trip. Dettori also mentioned that it was a big decision to come to Sweden when he was so close to his retirement, but he had promised his fans positively, and fittingly enough, gave them a win in his last race.
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The legend’s win in the last race made his Sweden tour a memorable one and brought smiles to the crowd who arrived specially to watch him at the Bro Park.
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