Legendary Equestrian Receives $1,400,000 Surprise for His Last Race

When it comes to horse racing, Frankie Dettori is a global icon. In his long successful career spanning more than three decades, the legendary equestrian has claimed victory at some of the most prestigious equestrian competitions all around the world. From Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe to the Breeder’s Cup and the Dubai World Cups, Dettori’s winner persona has graced podiums everywhere.

The 52-year-old maestro is all set to retire at the end of this season. The Royal Ascot 2023 will be one of his last races before he finally hangs up his riding boots. For one of the last races of his final season, Frankie Dettori is going all out. He will be riding a special horse in the Royal Ascot race.

An iconic horse for the iconic rider Frankie Dettori

For his final Royal Ascot meet, Dettori chose Givemethebeatboys as his mount for the Coventry Stakes. Essentially, the Italian-Brit rider will be atop a horse that is now worth a whopping sum of £1.1 million or $1.4 million. On Monday night, Givemethebeatboys changed owners at an auction that was held in Kensington Gardens in London. The 2-year-old equine juvenile is a winner, just like his jockey.

Trained by Jessica Harrington, the horse emerged victorious in both his starts, including the one at Group 3 Marble Hill Stakes. His previous owners, Con and Theresa Marnane, got him for €11,000 when the four-legged wonder was a year old. According to the Mirror, during the auction held on Monday, the winning bid was made by Con and Neil Sands of Bronsan Racing, who paid over $1.4 million for Givemethebeatboys. The horse was the top performer at this Goffs London Sale auction too, in which a total of 11 horses were sold for a sum of £3,770,000 which is about $4.8 million.

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The Goffs Group’s Chief Executive congratulated the new owners of the horse, and said, “We are delighted for the Marnane family and wish new owners Bronsan Racing the very best of luck in the Coventry Stakes.” Frankie Dettori, equally impressed by his mount, wrote in his World Pool blog, “He looks like a tough horse, and he beat some good ones of Aidan O’Brien’s last time, so hopefully that form is solid. This race is always very hard to win, it’s super competitive, but I’m happy with what I’ve got.” No matter how competitive a race might be, Frankie Dettori is as determined as a rider could be.

Perseverance is the name of the game

Frankie Dettori, who is world famous for his celebratory flying dismount, has seen the worst that life has to offer. In a plane crash that unfortunately took away the life of his pilot, Dettori was lucky enough to survive without any permanent damage. But the Milan-born rider has never been one to give up that easily. It might have taken him 15 tries, but Frankie Dettori proudly rode his mount, Authorized, to victory at the English Derby in 2007. He has won the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe 6 times and the Breeder’s Cup 14 times.

In September 1996, Dettori left the entire world stunned after he clinched the win in all 7 races held during the Champions Day at Ascot. To this date, the phenomenon that took place on that fateful day is known as the ‘Magnificent Seven’, and there is even a statue that was erected to commemorate the unbelievable achievement. In December 2022, he revealed his decision to retire this season. After participating in the Breeder’s Cup in November, Dettori will say goodbye to professional riding to take time out for his family.

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