Dettori turns disappointment to delight at Bro Park

Half an hour earlier Dettori could finish only ninth on last year’s winner Hard One To Please in the featured Stockholm Cup, a race in which Hollie Doyle and Archie Watson’s Outbox were forced to settle for second place for a third consecutive year when Espen Hill, trained and ridden by Madeleine Smith, sprung a surprise in the Group 3 highlight.

Takeko, trained by Annike Bye Hansen was followed home by William Haggas’ Good Gracious ridden by Doyle with Marco Ghiani aboard the Jane Chapple-Hyam trained Nizaaka back in third.

After thrilling the huge Bro Park crowd with a signature flying dismount Dettori said, “It’s nice to be here.  The day didn’t start so well but we’ve managed to get a winner.  I try to get a winner wherever I go, so a big thank you to everyone.  I really enjoyed it

“It was a big effort to get to Stockholm especially so close to my retirement, but I promised I would come and like I said I am very happy to have given you guys a winner on my farewell tour.  So, thank you again.”

Dettori’s two rides ahead of the Stockholm Cup International both saw him finish in third place on Pusjkin for Francisco Castro in the Tattersalls Nickes Memorial behind local superstar Duca Di Como, and Let’s Go Crazy for Norwegian trainer Neils Petersen in the Bro Park Sprint Championship.

The Bro Park Sprint Championship delivered a welcome winner for Hollie Doyle on the Kevin Ryan-trained Washington Heights who ran out an impressive winner of the 1,200m contest adding to her tally of one winner, two seconds and third from four rides on the day.

Dennis Madsen, Head of Racing at the Swedish Racing Authority, Svensk Galopp, said, “It has been a great day and a privilege to welcome Frankie Dettori among a host of top international riders.

“The weather and the quality of the racing have both played their part today but the visiting jockeys, Frankie especially, have undoubtedly helped to swell the attendance.

“Today’s programme has highlighted the diversity of Swedish racing and has demonstrated again that we can attract top international horses and riders to compete against our own Scandinavian talent.”