Dettori proves he's a Doyen of the Turf

Godolphin's Doyen gave Frankie Dettori his fourth win in the King George & Queen Elizabeth Diamond Stakes in what was a really impressive performance by both horse & jockey.

The four-year-old, giving trainer Saeed Bin Suroor his fifth success in the midsummer middle-distance championship, stormed home to also give Dettori his 2001st career winner in Britain.

The American raider Hard Buck ran a tremendous race to hold on for second ahead of Godolphin's second string Sulamani.

Dettori took the 11-10 favourite to the front two furlongs out, after which the result was never in doubt, and he crossed the line three lengths clear of 33-1 outsider Hard Buck, ridden by Gary Stevens and a first Ascot runner for American trainer Kenny McPeek.

Sulamani (7-1), ridden by Australian Kerrin McEvoy, was a head away third. Godolphin's third string Lunar Sovereign set a steady gallop in the early stages with Hard Buck, Warrsan and Doyen in close attendance.

There was little change in the order as the field approached the straight except that Lunar Sovereign stole a three-length advantage.

The pack quickly closed in and it was Doyen who cruised to the front to stamp his authority on the race. Hard Buck kept on gamely, with Sulamani staying on for third and Gamut fourth.

It was Dettori's fourth King George success and the Italian, who had earlier won on Nightfall in the same silks to register his 2000th career success, was delighted.

"The King George is a special race and Doyen is a special horse,"  he told BBC Sport. " I'm been very nervous all week. It's not very often I say it but I told my wife that I could not see him getting beat today. He was the one that was travelling the best. When I pulled him out off he went. He was absolutely devastating.

"I'm been very nervous all week. It's not very often I say it but I told my wife that I could not see him getting beat today. He was the one that was travelling the best. When I pulled him out off he
went. He was absolutely devastating.

"It was unbelievable. With the crowd screaming I looked at the big screen to see how far ahead I was. I didn't have to give him a smack - he was doing it all on his own."

Godolphin racing manager Simon Crisford said: "He is in the Irish Champion Stakes and that could well be his next race.

"It will set him up for the Arc, the Breeders' Cup, the Japan Cup or whatever we want to do. We felt coming into this race that he fitted well into the mould of our previous winners and if he stays in training next year he'll be even better."

Godolphin's Sheikh Mohammed said: "The Coronation Cup was a stepping stone for Doyen and he wasn't ready then. Last time at Ascot he improved, and he is just peaking now.

"The sky is the limit. He is ready for all the big races here, in America and around the world."

Filed by James McMahon