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The owners all loved to see Frankie Dettori on their horses. By 1997 he'd already etched his name on the celebrity list and he was the hotetst property in horse racing. The September of 1996 had seen him catapult into racing folklore when he rode his 'Magnificent Seven', going through the card at Ascot, and hitting the bookies for millions. In contrast to many of the legendary jockeys of yesteryear Frankie also had the personality to carry it all off, and the public adored him. Some of my owners were big fans of the 26 year-old Italian and if the chance arose they wanted to see him riding their horse and carrying their colours. I had a grand horse at the time called Hasta La Vista. We all loved Hasta. He'd won eight races, all in low grade affairs, but he always did his best and of a racehorse you can ask nothing more. I entered Hasta La Vista in the Turmeric Handicap at Catterick on 3rd July 1997 and I knew Dettori was coming up to Yorkshire that day. Dettori didn't ride at Catterick very often but he had two mounts for John Gosden and we knew he'd be keen to pick up a few more rather than sit them out. I wanted Frankie Dettori to ride Hasta La Vista and also William's Well who ran in the last race on the card. Both horses were owned by my dear friends Ken and Judith Hodgson. They were marvellous people to train for and some of my favourite horses of recent years had carried their distinctive red and blue silks including Jedi Knight, William's Well and the lightning-quick sprinter Westcourt Magic. One phone call secured Dettori's services and the deal was done. It was with much excitement that connections headed to Catterick Bridge that Thursday afternoon. Dettori was always immaculately turned out and met the owners in the parade ring. Just as he turned away to walk towards to horse I grabbed his shoulder and gave him his final instruction. "You'll jump off him when he wins won't you?" Frankie continued on his way, got aboard Hasta and off they went to post. Across in the betting ring the money was still coming and Hasta La Vista was backed into 11/8 favourite. Dettori rode a magical race and was worth his riding fee many times over. The other riders allowed Frankie to dictate. He set a steady pace and then gradually quickened up, crossing to the stands side rails in the home straight and from there on the result was never in doubt. Dettori and Hasta La Vista came home comfortably ahead of Tancred Mischief, a horse to which they were conceding 19 pounds in the handicap. He pinched the race and that's why he's a top jockey. Frankie Dettori saved the best til last and after being led in by Mrs Hodgson he treated the sparse crowd to a flying dismount, his trademark celebration which was usually saved for Group One races. Exciting, yes, but a Group One race this certainly was not! I'd have loved him to make it a double but William's Well got caught a furlong out after leading all the way and had to settle for a runners' up spot. When you own racehorses then this is the sort of day you dream about. It might have only been a three grand race at Catterick but these are the things you remember. Hasta La Vista went on to win 17 times. We retired him in 2002 and hoped he'd enjoy a long life but a year later he dropped dead in the field. The afternoon at Catterick that Hasta La Vista and Lanfranco Dettori gave us was one I'll never forget. It's what racing is all about. |
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