'They were all screaming' - Frankie Dettori opens farewell tour with treble

Frankie Dettori kicked off his stint in the US in stunning fashion when riding a treble at Santa Anita, headlined by Dubai World Cup winner Country Grammer's win.

The legendary rider, 52, announced this month 2023 would be his final year in the saddle, and lit up the racecourse on Monday on his first day riding since outlining his plans.

Country Grammer eased to a four-and-a-half-length success in the Grade 2 San Antonio Stakes, the first time the Bob Baffert-trained five-year-old had won since his Meydan heroics in March.

Dettori said: "Bob was very confident. He's a tough horse and you wouldn't do that with another horse, but he's got the lungs to take it in. He won like a good horse again. That was an amazing comeback run."

Baffert was delighted to be able to call on Dettori, who was beginning his ten-week farewell tour from his base at the Californian track.

"I'm happy for Frankie Dettori. I mean, who better?" said Baffert. "This is his last year and to have him on there and win a race like this.

"I can't believe the crowd today. It's crazy, it's like a Breeders' Cup day."

Dettori also landed the 6½f fillies' and mares' allowance race on turf on the Doug O'Neill-trained La Deuxieme Etoile, before he completed his treble on Ballet Dancing for trainer Simon Callaghan in the 1m1f fillies' and mares' allowance.

“The pressure is on," Dettori told FanDuel TV. “I’m here for ten weeks and to ride Country Grammer straight away on the first day, I felt it a bit. Once he had the race won at the furlong marker I was able to enjoy the crowd. They were all screaming.”

Dettori stunned the racing world when revealing shortly before Christmas he planned to end his riding career at the Breeders' Cup at Santa Anita in November next year.

He had previously said his ambition was to find a horse capable of providing him with a ride in next year's Kentucky Derby, a race he has yet to win, as part of the reason behind riding in California.

Read this next:

Can today's challenger put the punters ahead against Graeme Rodway?

Stay ahead of the field with 50 per cent off the ultimate racing subscription. Enjoy the Racing Post digital newspaper and award-winning journalism from the best writers in racing. Plus, make informed betting decisions with our expert tips and form study tools. Head to the subscription page and select 'Get Ultimate Monthly', then enter the code WELCOME2022 to get 50 per cent off your first three months.

First three payments will be charged at £19.98, subscription renews at full monthly price thereafter.

Customers wishing to cancel will need to contact us at least seven days before their subscription is due to renew.