Hi °C | Lo °C With his usual perfect timing and showmanship, Frankie Dettori made yesterday's anniversary afternoon at Lingfield something of an occasion.
Twenty years ago, when the Surrey track earned its niche in the sport's history by staging Britain's first meeting on an all-weather surface, Dettori rode the last winner of the afternoon.
Yesterday, he repeated the feat with bright blue knobs on, for his finale success on Padmina notched a four-timer on the day and his 100 for the season.
The Italian treated the crowd — who came through the turnstiles at the 1989 price of a fiver — to a flying dismount to mark his first century for three years.
Nine others, though, have breached the barrier before him this time, headed by Ryan Moore, who finished the afternoon on 175 and is so far clear of anyone else that he has already been given his champion's trophy.
Way back when, Dettori was a boy wonder; now, at the age of 38, he is a weighing room elder statesman with the highest profile of any jockey and an international schedule. He will ride today and tomorrow at Newmarket before flying to Australia for the Melbourne Cup on Tuesday, and then to the United States for the £25.5m Breeders' Cup meeting.
Yet, he still retains his enthusiasm for achievement and even little landmarks, like yesterday's repeat performance. Of the 11 riders who scored on the 12-race card in 1989, only three are still in action.
And the century, and with it his third place in the jockeys' championship, which starts and ends tomorrow week with the turf season, are important.
“I thought when I got up if I could nick a couple today it would be great,” Dettori said afterwards. “But this is beyond my dreams. Four winners in a day is never easy and it's my stable I have to thank.”
The stable, of course, is Godolphin, in whose royal blue Dettori rode Baila Me, Moonlife, Sirocco Breeze and Padmina to victory.
But another success (he has six more rides booked before heading abroad) could be vital as he may yet lose one of the 100. Delegator tested positive for a banned substance after winning the Celebration Mile at Goodwood and may be demoted.
