Frankie Dettori WINS the Coronation Cup riding Emily Upjohn for owner Andrew Lloyd Webber as his retirement tour continues
Frankie Dettori atones for last year’s mistake at the Coronation Cup by sealing victory in front of his horse’s owner, Lord Andrew Lloyd Webber.
The Italian rider’s farewell tour continued steadily with a victory on Friday, with the filly Emily Upjohn making up somewhat for her disappointing second-place finish in the Oaks last year.
The filly soon slipped out of the gates but finished second despite an impressive recovery only to come agonizingly short.
And the musical theater icon was all smiles as he lifted the cup with Dettori in the glorious June sunshine in Epsom.
Dettori – in his final season in the saddle – also took a second Group 1 prize in the Oaks, the race he narrowly beat last year, on a glittering day for the legendary rider.
Andrew Lloyd Webber (right) celebrated his filly’s success with Frankie Dettori (left)
Dettori won the Coronation Cup on return to Epsom after coming agonizingly short in the Oaks
The legendary Dettori is in his final season in the saddle and enjoyed a brilliant day at Epsom
Lord Webber’s horse was a cut above the rest when she returned to Epsom after 12 months.
The 11-4 entry cost her time in the early stages of the race, with Dettori drawing on his vast racing experience to avoid jumping on fire too early.
But as the end drew near, the Italian began to push the filly into a challenge before a terrifying change of pace carried her past her rivals and across the line to seal a memorable comeback.
“She’s a big girl so I got her ready at the top of the hill and gosh she sped up, wow,” Dettori said of Emily Upjohn after coming home with the win.
“The change of pace she showed and she kept going straight to the line. Myself and Rob (Hornby, on Westover) came a long way from third.
“She feels better this year, she feels stronger, but more importantly, she’s better in her head. She battled things last year, but she’s ready to relax a bit this year.
“She’s better in the morning now, but we’ll just leave her alone, if she wants to watch, she can watch!”
Westover had begun to close in on eventual winner towards the end, but Emily Upjohn and Dettori managed to avert the challenge and finish a comfortable length and three-quarters clear for the Coronation Cup.
Dettori finished a comfortable length and three quarters clear of Westover to take the Cup
The Italian (right) also avenged his heartbreak from the Oaks last year with this timeout win over Soul Sister
He won the Oaks on Soul Sister to cap off a successful day with a Group One double on Friday
“She did beautifully,” said the filly’s trainers John and Thady Gosden Senior. “We planned Dubai (Sheema Classic) but she didn’t come to herself in the spring, so we waited. She’s only just ready to run, actually only now.
“She probably hit the front too early and she has a really good hit, so she needs to come for that. She finished at the front because of the way she accelerated, she is a very talented filly.
“The Oaks went wrong last year, but that’s in the past. She showed that speed early last year and then again in the fall on soft ground, this is getting faster, it’s really good to firm and she’s shown a lot of talent over a mile and a half.
“It’s nice to bring her back here and win, and Westover had a rough trip here in the Derby last year but didn’t take anything from the winner of the Oaks or the Derby, they were very good.”