Frankie Dettori guides Star of Seville to French Oaks win

John Gosden trains 16-1 shot to Chantilly win only nine days after Epsom disappointment

Frankie Detorri masterminded a famous French Oaks win onboard 16-1 shot Star of Seville. Photograph: Afp
Frankie Detorri masterminded a famous French Oaks win onboard 16-1 shot Star of Seville. Photograph: Afp

Frankie Dettori steered Star Of Seville to a famous victory in the Prix de Diane Longines at Chantilly just nine days after she was well beaten in the Investec Oaks.

It was a tremendous training performance by John Gosden to have the Lady Bamford-owned filly 100 per cent after her Epsom exertions.

Derby hero Dettori always had Star Of Seville (16-1) close to the lead set by Clarmina, a pacemaker for the favourite Queen’s Jewel.

While the field compacted turning in, Dettori was able to get first run on the Musidora winner as he took her to the front.

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She maintained the gallop to see off Physiocrate, with Little Nightingale third. Queen’s Jewel was never able to get in a blow.

The other British raider, Mick Channon’s Malabar, briefly looked as though she may get involved but could not get close at the business end.

Gosden said: “Frankie and I walked the track this morning and came up with a plan of what to do.

“He has ridden her beautifully and I said after we walked and planned it, ‘if this works you are a genius’.

“She will have a break and then she could run the Nassau Stakes and the Prix de l’Opera.

“I don’t think she is an Arc filly, I think she is better over the mile and a quarter.

“She is a great filly, who is very strong mentally.”

On the decision to run so soon after Epsom, Gosden said: “She went very, very slowly (at Epsom) and ran for a furlong and a half up the hill and got knocked over. It was a very expensive piece of work, but she came out of it almost angry she didn’t have a race.

"I left her in the first few days (at Chantilly) and I called Lady Bamford and said 'this filly is in great form, she is back to her racing weight, please can I run her as she didn't have a run at Epsom'.

“I said ‘I know it isn’t the normal way to prepare a horse, but please can I run her’ and she was very sporting and said yes.”