Frankie Dettori rode his landmark 500th winner at Newmarket as classy filly Inspiral proved too good in the Sun Chariot Stakes (G1) Oct. 7.
A fifth top-level victory never looked in doubt for the John and Thady Gosden-trained filly. She traveled with authority and breezed to the front two out before bounding clear to strike by 3 3/4 lengths.
Dettori, who is to retire at the end of the year, was riding his 22nd top-level win at Newmarket. They include four victories apiece in the Two Thousand and One Thousand Guineas (G1), the biggest races in the town he has called home since moving from Italy.
IT’S INSPIRATIONALLLL FROM INSPIRAL 😍
500 Wins for Mr Frankie Dettori!
Dettori & Gosden win the G1 Virgin bet Sun Chariot Stakes 2023! pic.twitter.com/IlD02x94o0
— ITV Racing (@itvracing) October 7, 2023
The jockey said: “When I got to 499 last week, I thought at least I’ve got Inspiral to look forward to as I know she’ll be thereabouts. Newmarket’s been my home for 38 years so it’s great, no it’s fantastic, to be able to do it in a group 1 and on a special filly. I couldn’t have written a better ending.
Inspiral was trimmed to 4-1 (from 10-1) for the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes (G1) on British Champions Day in two weeks by Coral, with the firm also offering the same price for the Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Turf (G1T).
Cheveley Park’s homebred had proved inconsistent and was recording back-to-back victories for the first time since winning the Coronation Stakes (G1) at Royal Ascot on her comeback in June 2022.
