Mark of greatness revealed in first red-letter day at Ascot

Victory on Markofdistinction helped propel Frankie Dettori into Flat racing's elite. He is pictured here after Swain became another of his five Queen Elizabeth II Stakes winnersCredit: Edward Whitaker

September 28, 1996 will remain the landmark date in Frankie Dettori’s career, but almost exactly six years before that magnificent day – on September 29, 1990 – came the first concrete proof that he was destined for greatness and a place among the elite.

Ascot has played a major part in Dettori’s life, catapulting him to fame and fortune with his Magnificent Seven in 1996 as well as a half-century of winners at the royal meeting.

And it was there that he took his first steps at the top level with his breakthrough Group 1 win on Markofdistinction in the 1990 Queen Elizabeth II Stakes.

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Published on 30 March 2017inSeries

Last updated 13:03, 30 March 2017

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