Dettori leaves it late on Dabirsim Frankie Dettori claimed the 500th Group race win of his career in the Qatar Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere. The popular Italian jockey was riding the unbeaten odds-on favourite Dabirsim for trainer Christophe Ferland and held his colt-up at the rear of the field behind a strong pace. The pacesetting Salure had a healthly gap on the field with two furlongs to run and Dettori opted to aim his mount for a brave run up the inside. The Hat Trick colt quickened up in scintillating fashion, picking up the leaders in the closing yards of the seven furlong contest to seal an impressive Group One success. There was a photo for second with Sofast closing to catch Salure who ran a huge race having hung badly into the centre of the track on the turn into the straight. The winner was cut into 10-1 from 12s by Boylesports for the QIPCO 2000 Guineas. Dettori said: "It's unbelievable to ride 500 Group winners, it's an astonishing number so it's a big, big moment for me, and I've been very lucky to ride some very good horses." He added of the winner: "He will definitely make a Guineas horse, without a doubt. He's a superstar. When the gap came he took it, he was electric. "He's the best two-year-old I have ridden. He's got tremendous pace and a great finish." Ferland said: "Frankie was playing with my nerves a bit! "He was six or eight lengths behind at the furlong post, but he's got a lot of speed and he quickened well to get back into the race. "We haven't decided about next year. He'll be entered in the French and English Guineas. "He can run on a straight course or around a bend so it doesn't matter."
