Frankie Dettori secures personal-best Group 1 record with Anapurna Arc aperitif

Frankie Dettori riding to victory aboard a John Gosden-trained Oaks winner is what an awful lot of people want to see on Arc day.

Time will tell if it happens, but it definitely did happen on Arc eve.

Anapurna is no Enable but Meon Valley Stud's daughter of Frankel may well have entered retirement on a glorious high after helping Dettori to achieve his record total of top-level wins for a year in the first running of the Qatar Prix de Royallieu as a Group 1 contest.

In 2001 the then Godolphin ace rider enjoyed 16 top-flight triumphs, none bigger than Sakhee's success in the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe.

This year the 16th strike came three weeks ago at Longchamp, where John Gosden's stable jockey correctly chose Star Catcher over Anapurna. The 17th, gained at the same venue, was secured on a filly given a sublime front-running ride by Dettori, who again picked the right horse – he could also have partnered eventual fourth Lah Ti Dar – and then picked the right ground, taking his mount wide down the false straight and then once more after turning for home.

For Gosden it was a race that underlined the strength of his filly pack, for as well as having the winner and fourth, he was also responsible for the third, Enbihaar.

The latter, like runner-up Delphinia, suffered bumps and bangs in the closing stages, but although Anapurna was the cause of that interference – for which Dettori received a two-day careless riding suspension – she deserved to keep the race and the stewards agreed.

Frankie Dettori drives out Anapurna to beat Delphinia and Enbihaar in the Prix de RoyallieuCredit: Edward Whitaker

"She was all out at the end but she's very tough," said Dettori, who, unsurprisingly given what is to come on Sunday, looked more pensive than euphoric. "I used my staying card, made the running and out-galloped them," he added, leaving Thady Gosden – his father was preparing for next week's yearling sale fireworks at Tattersalls – and joint-owner Helena Ellingsen to do the rest of the talking.

Ellingsen, whose brother runs Meon Valley, said: "We could see she has gone in her coat, so there were slight nerves, but it's great she has won another Group 1.

"I don't think she will race on next season. Her dam, Dash To The Top, doesn't have many offspring, and there's also the worry something could happen if she raced next year, even though I'm sure she would do really well. Unless John convinces my brother to change his mind, I think she'll be retired."

Frankie Dettori debriefs owner Helena Ellingsen after Anapurna's victoryCredit: Edward Whitaker

Assessing the Clarehaven trio, Thady Gosden said: "Anapurna ran a great race. In the Vermeille last time she didn't break well and then started getting smashed about a bit. She isn't the biggest filly in the world and became slightly claustrophobic but she has bounced back today.

"Enbihaar has run a very good race considering she didn't enjoy the ground much. I think Lah Ti Dar ran her race but she has probably just been beaten by better fillies on the day."

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