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| Sumita Pawar |
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Frankie Dettori, the great showman of racing, will be riding for the last time at Royal Ascot during the meeting that commences on Tuesday.
Riding Chaldean in the St James's Palace Stakes, one of three Gr. 1 races on the first day, is the 52-year-old jockey who is set to retire this year.
Dettori Aims For 78th Win
Dettori's legacy is tied to the Berkshire course, where he accomplished the feat of riding seven winners in one day in 1996, and a statue commemorates this achievement.
Today, he aims to secure his 78th win at the Royal meeting in the Queen Anne Stakes at 14:30 BST, a race that has featured renowned horses such as Frankel and Baaeed.
In the upcoming race, he will be riding the top-class filly Inspiral, who won the Coronation Stakes last year under trainers John and Thady Gosden. They will be competing against Modern Games, the Lockinge winner from Godolphin trainer Charlie Appleby's stable.
The King's Stand Stakes, the second Gr.1 race of the day, will feature a competition between leading sprinters, including local favourites Highfield Princess and Dramatised, as well as Australian participant Coolangatta. The race will take place over five furlongs.
The St James's Palace Stakes will see a face-off between the winners of the England and Irish 2,000 Guineas - Chaldean and Paddington.
Queen's Racing Legacy Continues
Over the years, Queen Elizabeth II has celebrated the victories of 24 winners at the event, and there is anticipation for another Royal triumph this week. King Charles II and Queen Camilla now own her purple and gold racing silks, and they are expected to participate in the Royal procession down the track before the races begin.
Dettori will ride at least two of their contenders, Saga and Reach For The Moon, who both finished second at the event last year. Saga will compete in the Wolferton Stakes on Tuesday, while Reach For The Moon will participate in the Royal Hunt Cup on Wednesday.
"A royal winner would raise the roof. It would be fantastic and I'm obviously really looking forward to the meeting," said Dettori.
Royal racing manager John Warren said, "The King understands the bigger picture. He is more than interested in racing. It is something he'd heard in osmosis all his life.
"What with the Queen's enthusiasm, racing is lucky to have two great advocates - people who are engaged in the sport we all love."