Entering a new era

The last time I wrote, it was as a Miss. Just over five weeks later, I am a Mrs! It was a wonderful day followed by a wonderful honeymoon, and we’ve returned ready and excited to face the future as a partnership.

The themes of change and togetherness have run strongly through this week’s Royal Ascot. The late Queen had been such a supporter of the racing and such a vibrant presence at Ascot, and there were some questions as to whether her son King Charles III – historically less engaged in the sport – would show the same interest. Determined, however, to continue her legacy, he and Queen Camilla were in attendance every day, greeted by rousing renditions of the National Anthem and cheers.

As one era begins, another closes: the great Frankie Dettori continued his farewell tour as he heads into retirement – and he did so in style…

Day One, Tuesday 20 June: …but not on day one of the five. Indeed the day opened with 33-1 outsider holding off Dettori’s ride Inspiral to win the Queen Anne Stakes by a neck. It set the tone for a day of mixed fortunes for the favourites. Last year’s Coventry Stakes winner Bradsell came back to beat 7-4 Highfield Princess in the King’s Stand Stakes, and Chaldean was easily beaten by Paddington in the St James’s Palace Stakes. One favourite that did live up to his evens mark was Vauban. We may be used to seeing him over hurdles, but on Tuesday he ran away with a seven-and-a-half-length triumph in the Copper Horse Handicap.

One to watch: River Tiber, Coventry Stakes winner.

Day Two, Wednesday 21 June: Both Dettori and the Gosdens got their names on the board on day two – another day largely favouring the outsiders. As a trainer-jockey team, they claimed the Queen’s Vase with Gregory, in the three year-old’s third win in three runs. Earlier, Jim Crowley had won the Prince of Wales’s Stakes for John and Thady Gosden with a comprehensive victory on Mostahdaf.

One to watch: Crimson Advocate, Queen Mary Stakes winner.

Day Three, Thursday 22 June: A big day for so many reasons: not least because it started with 150-1 Valiant Force and 66-1 Malc leaving the rest behind in the Norfolk Stakes, and closed with a 50-1 winner in the Buckingham Palace Stakes in the form of Witch Hunter. But the feature race provided the real story of the day. In his last-ever Ascot Gold Cup, Dettori rode four year-old Courage Mon Ami to success and an emotional flying dismount in the winners enclosure. Presented the cup by the King and Queen, he planted a cheeky kiss on Camilla. Only Frankie.

One to watch: Docklands, Britannia Stakes winner.

Day Four, Friday 23 June: On a roll by day four, Dettori rode the winners in both the Albany Stakes and the Sandringham Stakes. The big story of the day, however, belonged to Oisin Murphy and Julie Camacho. Three year-old Shaquille had a nightmarish start to the Commonwealth Cup, giving away several lengths out of the stalls – but fought back and powered past the rest of the competition to win by one-and-a-quarter lengths. The success put Murphy back in the Royal Ascot winners enclosure for the first time since his 14-month suspension, and gave trainer Camacho her first Royal Ascot and first Group 1 win.

One to watch: Porta Fortuna, Albany Stakes winner.

Day Five, Saturday 24 June: A shake-up came in the Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes as Khaadem won at 80-1: the biggest-priced winner in the history of the race. Khaadem’s visit to the winners enclosure was the first since last July at Goodwood and was all the more surprising for him having unseated jockey Jamie Spencer before the race. And in another glorious comeback, long-time fan favourite Pyledriver returned to the course after a 336-day break. The much-loved six year-old won the Hardwicke Stakes in typically exuberant (and slapdash) manner, and looked delighted to be back.

One to watch: Snellen, Chesham Stakes winner.

Story of the week: It may have been Dettori’s last Royal Ascot, but the really story for me has to be the royals. It is vitally important for racing that the King has some enthusiasm for the sport, following the invaluable cheerleading provided by his late mother.

His presence at Royal Ascot every day was a good sign, as was the crowd’s warm greeting, but the cherry on the cake came without a doubt on Thursday. In the race named for his great-grandfather, Charles was able to cheer his own horse Desert Hero to a thrilling victory. His emotion as a horse bred by Queen Elizabeth II won the King George V Stakes was clear for all to see – a mixture of absolute thrill and bittersweet sentiment that will resonate with so very many racing fans.

Royal Champion, King of Steel, Age of Kings…all winners this week: appropriate as we all enter a new era.