Frankie Dettori: Enable will have to bring her A-game to beat Magical
By Andy Stephens
Last Updated: Fri 14 Jul 2023
This is the year that has kept on giving for Frankie Dettori.
He rode his 13th Group One winner of the season aboard Coronet in France on Sunday and this week at York’s four-day Ebor meeting he can look forward to partnering such as Enable, Stradivarius, King Of Comedy and Logician.
His best year for Group One wins was in 2001 when he chalked up 16 successes at the highest level. Fantastic Light was responsible for four of those triumphs, while such as Sakhee, Lailani, Kutub, Slickly and Noverre played their part for him.
Enable is his Group One banker this week in the Darley Yorkshire Oaks on Thursday and, with so many top races to come at home and abroad over the next couple of months, it will be a surprise if Dettori, at the age of 48, does not achieve a personal best.
In his latest blog for Ladbrokes, this is what he had to say about his rides at York over the first three days of the meeting.
WEDNESDAY:
Dettori told Tom Stanley about King Of Comedy after his win at Sandown this year
I kick off the week on Cobra Eye in the Group 3 Acomb Stakes (2.25). He is a nice horse who won at Glorious Goodwood. This race is a big jump for him as it is a really competitive race but he has given me a good feel and is an improving type. I think 7f will suit him. I don’t know a great deal about his rivals though.
Next up is the Great Voltigeur Stakes (3.00), where I am on Logician. I rode him once at Newbury last month. He keeps on improving but he has got a bit to find on ratings. I think York will suit him. We know we are taking a leap forward with him but we want to see if we can make him a Leger horse. That’s why he’s there.
I am really interested to ride King Of Comedy in the Juddmonte International Stakes (3.35), against the best around. He ran a massive race in the St James’ Palace Stakes at Royal Ascot, finishing strongly. He is drawn well here.
Whether we can lower the colours of Crystal Ocean, we don’t know but after that run at Royal Ascot he deserves to be in the line-up.
I ride Praxeology in the Nursery (4.50). I have never rode this horse but you want to be on the Mark Johnston horses at the moment. Everything is winning.
THURSDAY:
Dettori talks about the virtues of Enable after her Coral-Eclipse triumph
I am so excited about Enable in the Yorkshire Oaks (3.35). We did not expect Magical to be supplemented so it’s not going to be easy and it’s a worry for me.
There isn’t much between the two fillies and my horse will have to bring her A-game.
We have beaten her twice and if Enable turns up, she is the favourite. I don’t take anything for granted though; Magical is a good filly in her own right.
It could be the last time we see Enable run in England so I have mixed feelings of nerves and excitement. I just hope she can show what she is made of. She has become the darling of horse racing.
My other ride on Thursday is on Promissory in the Galtres Stakes (4.15). She won at Doncaster very easily and she is a good staying type. She is an improving type, her homework has been impressive and we hope for a good run. It was always the plan to run her here.
FRIDAY:
Dettori told Lydia Hislop about the wins of Cobra Eye and Stradivarius at Goodwood last month
I am on Corelli (1.55), who is a very genuine horse but them handicaps are just so tough. He just got chinned last time but I expect him to run a solid race here.
Stradivarius has been the peoples favourite so I am looking forward to the Lonsdale Cup Stakes (2.25).
He wears his heart on his sleeve and doesn’t know how to run a bad race. He likes the fight and he likes York. Last year he came here after a long season so he was tired but he seems to be in better form going into the race this time so fingers crossed he gets the job done.
Finally. I’m on Dubai Station in the Gimcrack Stakes (3pm). The owner booked me for this quite a while ago because I won the race for him last year. He came third in a Group race in France. I’ve never ridden him but he has got some solid form.
Related posts
Horse racing tips: Dave Nevison shares his best bets for Thursday
Dave Nevison's Thursday Tips: Conditional's claim could do the trick for Magic
Dettori: racing still makes me tick
Fleur In The Park gives Andrew Slattery a Grade One first
No Derby decision yet, but Appleby expecting Ancient Wisdom improvement
Todays top offer
Get 1,000,000 Free Spins on J Cole
T&Cs Apply
Featured offers
Bet £10 get £40 in Free Bets
T&Cs Apply
Claim Now
Bet £10 get £40 in Free Bets
T&Cs Apply
Claim Now
Bet £10 get £40 in Free Bets with Midnite
T&Cs Apply
Claim Now
Bet £10 & Get £30 in free bets
T&Cs Apply
Claim Now
Testing JC
T&Cs Apply
Claim Now
Copyright 2026 Racing TV - All Rights Reserved.
Please bet responsibly
Copyright 2026. All rights reserved