Ascot win for Queen will be crowning achievement says Frankie Dettori
Frankie Dettori has no plans to give up riding but he still has ambitions to win again for the Queen at Royal Ascot during her Platinum Jubilee.
Frankie Dettori has had a mega career in the saddle but few achievements will live up to another Royal Ascot win for Her Majesty The Queen says the irrepressible Italian.
"If I have one more Royal Ascot winner, I'd love it to be for Her Majesty," exclaimed Dettori.
"It is always a tremendous honour to ride for her. The thrill is always the same. There is enormous pride riding for her.
"It is her Jubilee this year - 70 years - and she is 96 this week (April 21), so it would be an absolute dream to win at Royal Ascot for her. Wouldn't that be fantastic? I think everyone would love it!"
"Saga was my first ride for Her Majesty this year and while he got beaten, I think he will improve for the run. It was his first since September," he added."
Dettori also has a chance of winning no less than the Epsom Derby on the Queen's Sea The Stars colt Reach For The Moon, who is entered for the big one in Surrey in early June.
"Reach For The Moon is a lovely horse," said Dettori. "Unfortunately, he had a little setback but I think he is on his way back.
"He was second in the Champagne Stakes at Doncaster and almost gave Her Majesty a win in the Chesham at the Royal meeting last year. He won the Solario at Sandown last August and we think the world of him."
Dettori clearly still has a lust for life in the saddle and has no inclination to retire just yet.
"Jockeys have to put in the licence application and they ask how many years have you been riding," said Dettori. "I write 35. It is ridiculous! Half of those boys in the weighing room were not even born 35 years ago.
"I went to the jockeys seminar last week and I only knew about 25 per cent of the people.
"The thing is, once you are in there, there is no age. It is a timeless place, the weighing room. We all talk the same language, and it is very hard to let go.
"At the moment, I am still enjoying it and John (Gosden) is great to me. He doesn't make me go up and down the country and I enjoy it. I'm going to make the most of it."