Frankie Dettori won the 2,000 Guineas at Newmarket on Chaldean in his final season before retirement.
The Italian, 52, pulled away in the final furlong to win the mile-long contest by a length and three quarters from 125-1 shot Hi Royal.
It was Dettori’s fourth winner in the first Classic race of the Flat season, with second-favourite Chaldean coming in at 7-2.
Royal Scotsman was third at 11-1 and Galeron fourth at 150-1.
“It was such a surreal moment and I was thinking, ‘I hope I don’t wake up’,” Dettori told ITV Racing. “It’s unbelievable. I don’t want to cry but it’s amazing.”
Dettori knew he would only have one more shot to win the historic race and his fourth victory was never in doubt once Chaldean, trained by Andrew Balding, hit the front.
Hi Royal was ridden by three-time champion jockey Oisin Murphy, who in February returned from a 14-month ban imposed for breaches of Covid-19 rules and for twice being above the alcohol threshold.
“I had a good spot. When I got to the top of the hill. Oisin kicked on and he gave me a good fright. But once I got clear of him it was all over and I was able to enjoy it.
“I kept an eye on my left to see if the Coolmore horses were coming but there was plenty of daylight.”
Pre-race favourite Auguste Rodin (13-8) had been well backed to give trainer Aidan O’Brien a record-extending 11th victory in the race but , on ground softened by heavy rain, came home four and a half lengths back in 12th.
Attention now turns to Sunday’s 1,000 Guineas (15:40 BST). Dermot Weld’s Tahiyra heads the confirmations for the opening fillies’ Classic of the season.
Source – BBC Sport
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