Frankie Dettori booked to ride Emily Upjohn - but John Gosden says star mare will head for an alternative Breeders' Cup target
Frankie Dettori is to renew acquaintances with the John and Thady Gosden team as he has been booked to ride his old ally Emily Upjohn in the Breeders' Cup Turf at Del Mar on Saturday.
The US-based rider partnered the five-year-old to her two Group 1 wins in Britain in the Fillies & Mares Stakes at Ascot in 2022 and the Coronation Cup at Epsom last year and will take over from Kieran Shoemark, who has ridden her on all six starts this year.
Emily Upjohn finished an excellent third to subsequent Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe one-two Bluestocking and Aventure in the Group 1 Prix Vermeille at Longchamp last month and has since enjoyed a racecourse gallop at Chelmsford on Thursday to put her spot on for her California trip.
Dettori rode the Gosden-trained Inspiral to success at the Breeders' Cup at Santa Anita a year ago and it is his superior local knowledge that has led to the jockey change on Emily Upjohn.
John Gosden said on Friday morning: "Frankie Dettori rides Emily Upjohn. Obviously he is over there riding at the moment and knows the Del Mar track very well. He also knows the filly very well."
Emily Upjohn is a 7-1 chance for the Turf with Paddy Power, but is also a general 9-4 favourite for the Filly & Mare Turf.
Emily Upjohn is due to ship out to California on Saturday and Gosden added: "Emily Upjohn worked well at Chelmsford yesterday and all being well she will be running in the Turf over a mile and a half."
On the reasoning behind going for the Turf, he said: "Del Mar is the tightest turf course in America. It was built many years ago inside the dirt track, which itself is tight.
"Consequently, it has the shortest turf straight in America, which is why we are running in a mile and a half, as the starting gate is better positioned in that contest than the Filly & Mare Turf."
Read these next:
'He could be very dangerous' - Notable Speech set to spearhead Charlie Appleby's Breeders' Cup team
The Racing Post is now available to follow on WhatsApp channels!
Follow Racing Post Insider on WhatsApp and you can now start receiving messages and alerts for the latest news, tips, insights, live reactions and much more. Click the group link and get Racing Post notifications straight to your phone via WhatsApp.
Published on inBreeders' Cup
Last updated
- 'He could be very dangerous' - Notable Speech set to spearhead Charlie Appleby's Breeders' Cup team
- Brian Meehan bullish on his Breeders' Cup chances - and has next year's Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe in mind for his Turf contender
- Wathnan Racing eye 'cherry on top' Breeders' Cup breakthrough as James Doyle agonises over big-race ride
- 'We've been delighted with him' - City Of Troy set to jet off for the Breeders' Cup after final workout this week
- Emily Upjohn could bid for first Breeders' Cup success as Gosdens prepare strong team - but Group 1 winner misses out
- 'He could be very dangerous' - Notable Speech set to spearhead Charlie Appleby's Breeders' Cup team
- Brian Meehan bullish on his Breeders' Cup chances - and has next year's Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe in mind for his Turf contender
- Wathnan Racing eye 'cherry on top' Breeders' Cup breakthrough as James Doyle agonises over big-race ride
- 'We've been delighted with him' - City Of Troy set to jet off for the Breeders' Cup after final workout this week
- Emily Upjohn could bid for first Breeders' Cup success as Gosdens prepare strong team - but Group 1 winner misses out