Frankie Dettori out for royal half-century after Seville masterclass

Frankie Dettori on Star of Seville celebrates after he won the Prix de Diane horse race (AP)

Frankie Dettori rode his rivals to sleep when landing the Prix de Diane on Star Of Seville on Sunday in the latest triumph for his resurgent alliance with trainer John Gosden.

Just eight days after they won the Derby with Golden Horn, Dettori overcame a wide draw at Chantilly by settling Star Of Seville – who was barged out of contention in the Oaks only nine days previously – comfortably off Clarmina, a pacemaker for the favourite Queen’s Jewel. From the moment the leader fell away and Dettori began his trademark shaking and regathering of the reins the result was not in doubt.

Star Of Seville won by a length from Physiocrate, with Little Nightingale three-quarters of a length away in third. The other British runner, Mick Channon’s Malabar, was beaten by about four lengths in ninth, with Queen’s Jewel a fraction behind in 11th.

Gosden said: “Frankie and I walked the track and came up with a plan. 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 in 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.”

On running after the Oaks, Gosden added: “She 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.”

Dettori said: “I’m still riding the wave of the Derby. When I ride for [Gosden], it makes my life easy. I now need one more for 50 wins at Royal Ascot. His horses are on fire.”

Among some eye-catching bookings for Dettori at the royal meeting this week are Consort for Sir Michael Stoute in the St James’s Palace Stakes, Eltezam in the Coventry Stakes and King Of Rooks in the Norfolk Stakes, both for Richard Hannon.