Dettori´s Derby Dreams Come True

Frankie Dettori´s dreams came true in style as the Italian netted the Vodafone Derby at the 15th attempt when red-hot favourite Authorized romped to success on the Epsom Downs.

The 228th running of the world´s premier Classic took place in searing heat, but Dettori hardly dropped a bead of sweat as his mount quickened right away in the final furlong for a stunning five-length victory.

Peter Chapple-Hyam´s colt had long headed the ante-post betting for the race and although slightly uneasy in the pre-race market, he was still returned the 5-4 favourite in a result which cost the betting industry between #20million and #50million.

The son of Montjeu gave Dettori an armchair ride all the way and charged down the outside of the field to fly past the front-running Kid Mambo and plunder the #1.25million prize pot in splendid isolation.

Eagle Mountain fared best of Aidan O´Brien´s eight runners, finishing fast and late to take second, with Aqaleem, representing last year´s winning trainer Marcus Tregoning, a further two and a half lengths down in third.

Dettori was flying high afterwards and said: 'This is a dream come true.

'There has been tremendous pressure all round and when I hit the front my heart stopped ? I could not believe what was about to happen.

'It is one of the proudest moments of my life ? I haven´t slept for two weeks!

'I knew I had a great horse and he had been working brilliantly. Peter kept telling me to be confident, but this was the first day I felt right as I was here fit and well.

'The race was the longest two and a half minutes of my life.

'They went a serious gallop and I counted the horses in front of me, which was about 10. I thought if they kept that pace up then I would be OK.

'I had a peep under my arm and could only see daylight so I knew there was no one stalking me and I only had to worry about the horses in front of me.

'I kept him balanced and asked him for an effort two furlongs out and when I got to the furlong marker my whole world stopped. I just couldn´t believe I was about to win the Derby and that this was my moment.

'Everything went so smooth. I was expecting a dog-fight battle but it was like an oil painting.'

His Derby win completes a lifetime ambition, but he has no plans to hang up his riding boots just yet.

He continued: 'It was my childhood dream to win the big three ? the Arc, the King George and the Derby and I have done it. I have been champion jockey and won all the Classics.

'My love for the sport keeps me going and I also have five children to feed, so I need to keep riding!

'As long as Sheikh Mohammed wants me and keeps giving me good horses to ride then I will keep going.'

Dettori heaped praise on his employer, who released him from his contractual obligations to partner Authorized.

He added: 'I cannot say enough how great Sheikh Mohammed has been to me. He is my boss, he pays the bills and if it wasn´t for him I wouldn´t be here now, and hopefully I can win the Derby for him sometime.'

Authorized´s win also saw his trainer return to the big time, 15 years after he saddled Dr Devious to Derby glory.

Chapple-Hyam said: 'This win means more to me as I was in a haze when I last won the race. It went too quick and I was so wound up I didn´t enjoy it. This is better.

'I decided to be relaxed and I have enjoyed it.

'We were probably further back than we wanted to be in the race but it turned out to be the perfect ride, in the perfect race on the perfect horse.

'Everything went swimmingly in the build up to the race. He´s a very good horse. I´ve always thought he was from day one.

'He´s never let me down and has a serious turn of foot.

'It is just fantastic ? there´s not a lot else to say.

'Where he goes next all depends on how he comes out of the race but he will probably drop back in trip at some point and the Coral-Eclipse will probably be his aim.'

The sponsors introduced Authorized as the 4-5 favourite for the July 7 contest at Sandown Park.

The final word has to go to Dettori, whose riding ambitions have now come full circle.

He concluded: 'Perhaps in 10 years time I will call it a day but at least I now know I have the satisfaction that I will be able to look back and know I conquered the highest peaks in my sport.'

(C) PA Sport