Frankie Dettori does it again as he rockets from last to first on Charlie Hills stalwart Khaadem at Keeneland

Frankie Dettori executed a perfectly timed last-to-first ride on Khaadem to continue his run of successful link-ups with British trainers on US soil.

A week after Dettori partnered Charlie Appleby's globetrotting star Rebel's Romance to a Grade 1 win at Aqueduct, the 54-year-old was at it again, this time teaming up with Charlie Hills and a dual Royal Ascot star in Khaadem at Keeneland.

The parallels stopped there though. Rebel's Romance made most of the running but Dettori had to go about it in a completely different manner on the nine-year-old sprinter in the Grade 2 Woodford Stakes, making his challenge late in the straight after breaking poorly.

Khaadem: winner at Keeneland under Frankie DettoriCredit: Keeneland Photo

Dettori said: "He fluffed the start. That's why he was so far back."

Khaadem was still last of eight turning for home, but Dettori added: "I got him in a good spot and he decided to run. He's a character and we love him for it."

• Watch: Khaadem wins the Grade 2 Woodford Stakes at Keeneland

Owned by Jim and Fitri Hay since 2022, Khaadem has taken his connections on some ride, claiming two Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes wins at the royal meeting.

This, however, was his first win outside of Britain as he ran down Script to score by a neck and it was a performance that delighted Hills, who admitted he was "a bit worried" when Khaadem turned for home in last.

Frankie Dettori and Charlie Hills following Khaadem's winCredit: Keeneland Photo

Hills told BloodHorse: "He seems to thrive being here.

"He's nine years old and he won his first race as a two-year-old, so we go back a long way. He's won some fantastic races back in England – two Jubilees at Royal Ascot – and he's won some amazing prize-money, so he's given us all a lot of joy. Horses have such good characters and he's certainly got one."

Hills is now set to target the Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint with Khaadem at Del Mar on November 1 and added: "I think we have to go. It just makes sense."

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