No jockey in the modern era has captured the headlines and the public affection quite like Frankie Dettori and on one glorious Ascot afternoon in 1996 he was truly untouchable.
Dettori achieved a near-impossible feat when winning all seven races on the card at Ascot in September 1996, including winning the prestigious Queen Elizabeth II Stakes.
It began a love-affair for punters that has gone on throughout the Italian's career. Royal Ascot 2023 is looming large on the horizon and we are taking a look back at some famous contests that have unfolded on the famous stretch of Berkshire turf.
The man for the big occasion
He's famed for it now, of course, with his world-renowned flying dismounts and general love of the spotlight but it was at Ascot in September '96 that Dettori really propelled himself into the big time.
On an unforgettable afternoon with the terrestrial cameras rolling early on, he went through the card with seven winners from seven rides – his 'Magnificent Seven'.
Whilst racing often struggles to compete with some of the more mainstream sports, this achievement from Dettori was one that propelled his chosen field into the headlines.
Dettori's feat is unmatched, topping the previous best on six-race cards by Sir Gordon Richards at Chepstow in 1933 and Alec Russell at Bogside in 1957.
The cumulative SP odds for anyone who had the good fortune to back all the Dettori winners – and plenty punters did – were 25,095/1, though early morning prices had the even more impressive odds against it happening of 235,834/1.
Momentum builds on special afternoon
It is estimated that Dettori's seven-race winning streak cost the bookmaking industry more than £30m and, given the sums involved, it seems fitting that his first ride was called Wall Street in the Cumberland Lodge Stakes.
Sent off at odds of 2/1, they were strong contenders and Dettori over the mile and a half course to kick-start what was going to become one of the most exhilarating afternoons of his life.
Next up was the Diadem Stakes in which 12/1 chance Diffident was not expected to be a major player after a series of disappointing results.
A slow pace in the race played into his hands, however, and Dettori was in the winners' enclosure for a second time.
Next up was the feature QEII Stakes and a two-way battle between Mark Of Esteem and Henry Cecil's impressive filly Bosra Sham unfolded.
Dettori brought the Godolphin-owned runner home in front for trainer Saeed bin Suroor and, suddenly, there was a murmur going around Ascot that something special might be unfolding.
Hero starts to emerge
Next up was the Tote Festival Handicap, a 26-runner affair in which Decorated Hero carried the top weight of 9st 13lb.
Sent off at odds of 7/1, this looked a devilish assignment for Dettori but a three-and-a-half length victory ensued and he was suddenly 4-4 on the afternoon.
When Fatefully obliged at odds of 7/4 in the Rosemary Stakes, it was becoming apparent that Dettori could be on the verge of making history.
His sixth triumph came on Lochangel in the Blue Seal Stakes as the 5/4 favourite and that meant that he had equalled the record of Sir Gordon Richards and Alec Russell in winning six races on the same card.
That teed him for a shot at history and, as would become a key trait in his career, Dettori wasn't going to pass it up easily.
Riding the Crest of a wave
Fujiyama Crest was a general 12/1 chance on that Saturday morning but as Dettori winner followed Dettori winner, the price tumbled and he was a 2/1 favourite come post-time.
Some would suggest that such an SP was a reaction to Dettori's haul that afternoon and that taking an independent view, Fujiyama Crest was far too short.
In an unprecedented move and long before the advent of specialist racing coverage and live streaming, the BBC interrupted its traditional Grandstand coverage to broadcast the live action from Ascot.
Despite carrying the top weight of 10 stone, Dettori got his mount in front late on and they held off the fast-finishing Northern Fleet to seal a place in the history books.
Fujiyama Crest achieved little of note afterwards on the racecourse but he was bought by Dettori and happily sent into retirement as the family pet – just reward for his concluding part in the historic and – as yet – unmatched 'Magnificent Seven'.
