Frankie Dettori gives his thoughts on a few possible winners over the next five days (Pic – Candiese Lenferna)
For horse racing enthusiasts and racegoers, 28 September 1996, went down as one of the most incredible days in racing history.
It’s when legendary jockey Frankie Dettori rode all seven winners on the card at Ascot Racecourse.
Rarely would you associate the butterfly effect phenomenon with horse racing, but it’s almost impossible to experience a race day like Saturday 28 September 28th 1996, especially given the quality of racing we see at Ascot year after year.
Even Lester Piggott, who holds the record for most wins at Royal Ascot, once described Frankie Dettori as the best jockey currently riding.
Frankie Dettori and Lester Piggot (Pic – Supplied)
Back on that glorious summer day, Frankie Dettori – the reigning champion jockey – arrived at the hallowed Ascot turf with decent prospects. Many thought he was capable of a double, even a treble, with just one Ascot winner constituting a successful day at the Festival of British racing.
But Frankie Dettori achieved the near-impossible feat of winning all seven races on the card, costing the betting industry millions of pounds.
One punter, in particular, Mr Darren Yates, had a life-changing day after he placed a £62 bet on Dettori to win all seven races at Ascot and amassed a jaw-dropping £550,823.54 in winnings.
According to official reports, the cumulative SP odds of his wins accumulated to 25,051-1, meaning that the actual value of the seven-fold accumulator was over 200,000/1!
Today the 2025 renewal gets underway at 15h30 – here are Frankie Dettori’s 2025 Royal Ascot tips, courtesy of Stake.
- Queen Anne Stakes
It is an amazing race. I really like Rosallion, he ran a super race last time out and I would also put in the American horse, Carl Spackler. I was second to him at Keeneland and he absolutely destroyed me. He is a horse that is improving, not a typical American horse as he is easy to handle, the occasion will not get to him. He could be a bit of a price.
- King Charles III Stakes
You can name ten in here but I have gone quite boring with last year’s winner – Asfoora. I think he is head and shoulders above, he has had a prep run and would not be surprised if he hasn’t been trained right for this race. It’s the hardest race of the week to pick.
- St James’s Palace Stakes
This is probably the best race of the week. There are possibly three Guineas winners turning up but I would like to see my old boss win it (John Gosden) with Field Of Gold and I think he will. I was super impressed last time, he is still on the way up, I would say he will be one of NAPs for the week and I’ll be surprised he gets turned over.
- Prince Of Wales Stakes
There are a few you can put in but I am going to stick with the obvious one, Los Angeles. He stays well, has a big heart, Ryan Moore will have him prominent and whatever horse passes him will win, but possibly none will, because he will put them to the sword. He battles too so I’ll go with him.
- Ascot Gold Cup
Aidan O’Brien’s runner, Kyprios, is out and has left a big hold, they are relying on Illinois now but I am going to stick with a horse that loves Ascot, he stays, he’s not Stradivarius but Trawlerman is as solid as a rock. John trained him for this race this year, you know Trawlerman is solid so I’ll go with him.
- Commonwealth Cup
This is my NAP in the Group 1s of the week – Shadow Of Light. He showed great speed in the Guineas, most of the good horses have gone to the St James’s Palace,I think this leaves the door open for him to show his stuff. He could be my banker of the week, Field Of Gold would have been a bit too obvious.
- Coronation Cup
This my last Royal Ascot winner, it took me years to get it, in this race. Zarigana is my pick. She was a lucky winner of the French Guineas but she is a top class filly. Mikael Barzalona gave her too much to do and got beat but won it in the Stewards Room, but he won’t make that mistake again.
- Jubilee Stakes
I like Inisherin, Kevin Ryan’s horse. I have gone for him, it is a wide open race, you also have to chuck in the Japanese horse they are raving about, you have to.
- Longshot of the week
I have gone with Billy Loughnane, the up and coming young jockey, he is riding the crest of a wave right now so I am going with the one he rides, Oliver Show in the Royal Hunt Cup.
- Banker of the week (non-Group 1)
I couldn’t leave him out – Willie Mullins. His runner in the Queen Alexandra Stakes – Sober.
The action starts at 15h30 today and runs until Saturday.
Watch every stride on GallopTV.
