'Genius' Frankie Dettori hailed after masterful Mostahdaf ends Paddington's winning run in Juddmonte International

In front of an adoring York crowd, Frankie Dettori showed just why he has earned legendary status in the sport with a masterful ride from the front on Mostahdaf to lower the colours of the season’s three-year-old sensation Paddington in the Juddmonte International.

Paddington had conquered all before him this campaign, landing six straight races since March and four Group 1s, but he finished only third in a four-runner affair that stirred racegoers on the Knavesmire.

Dettori's plan became clear from the outset as he grasped the lead straight out of the stalls aboard the Shadwell homebred and set a decent tempo in a bid to test Paddington’s stamina.

Ryan Moore was alert to the unfolding tactics, sitting second aboard the odds-on favourite, but by the turn into the home straight, the John and Thady Gosden-trained Mostahdaf had built a near three-length lead. It proved insurmountable.

Dettori afforded himself a peek in behind as the four runners straightened up and liked what he saw. There was another glance back to his rivals approaching the two-furlong marker, and still no sign of Paddington.

Mostahdaf (centre) ended the superb winning summer of Paddington (left)Credit: Edward Whitaker

Moore began to urge Paddington for more, switching to the stands’ side, and the Irish 2,000 Guineas, St James’s Palace, Eclipse and Sussex scorer did find for pressure. Mostahdaf, however, had plenty in reserve.

Runner-up Nashwa, stablemate to the winner, surged to the inside and looked a possible challenger approaching the final furlong, but Mostahdaf was not for passing. It was a plan executed with precision, with the rider pointing to the air in celebration when crossing the line.

Dettori, fresh from a crowd-pleasing flying dismount, said: “There was only one way of beating Paddington and that was by racing in front of him. We went a nice, even tempo and it was a case of come and catch me. The key was trying to get the fractions right. Thankfully after 36 years I’ve learned how to do it.

“I still had two lengths’ rope two furlongs out, and at that point I expected Paddington to be on my quarters. I knew then he’d do well to catch me.”

There was added significance to Mostahdaf’s success, with Dettori usurping fellow Flat racing icon Lester Piggott by landing a sixth International, with his first victory coming back in 1996 aboard Halling.

He was also registering a first top-level win for Shadwell, with retained rider Jim Crowley suspended due to a whip ban for his ride on King George VI and Queen Elizabeth winner Hukum.

Dettori said: “It’s my last Ebor meeting, my wife [Catherine] came along and it’s amazing to be the first jockey to win six Internationals and beat Lester’s record. I couldn’t ask for more and today was a big team effort, including Jim who I spoke to about the race last night.”

Frankie Dettori performs his trademark flying dismount after his Juddmonte successCredit: Edward Whitaker

Mostahdaf was halved in price by Paddy Power to 4-1 (from 8) for the Royal Bahrain Irish Champion Stakes at Leopardstown on September 9 and 6-1 (from 10) for the Qipco Champion Stakes at Ascot on October 21, with Gosden snr unlikely to consider the Arc at Longchamp, in which Mostahdaf trailed in last on very soft ground last year.

Gosden said: “Frankie has always been a supreme tactician. He’s a genius on a racetrack, he can go anywhere in the world. He's like a chameleon. He can adapt to any style of racing.

“Mostahdaf is a proper horse and he’s won that in a proper time [2min 06.4sec, fast by 1.7secs]. He won from the back at Ascot and from the front here and he’s getting better with age.

“I wouldn’t take him to the Arc if it’s going to be soft ground – he’s best on summer racing ground – and the Irish Champion might be a possibility. Ten furlongs is his trip.”

Mostahdaf and Nashwa completed a one-two for John and Thady GosdenCredit: Edward Whitaker

Nashwa, just 20 days on from finishing third in the Nassau on unfavourable soft ground, more than justified connections’ call to take their chance, with £215,000 in prize-money for finishing second.

“Nashwa is a good filly and there was no fluke in her finishing second,” said Gosden. “She showed her class and [owner] Imad [Al Sagar] was great to run her, he saw it was shaping up to be a small field and said we must support British racing, which was very brave of him.”

Qipco British Champions Day is the next time racing fans might see Mostahdaf – and it is the last time we are expecting to see Dettori in domestic action.

“He’s a quite wonderful jockey and we’re going to miss him. He’s winning a lot of the big races right now,” said Gosden, before adding with a playful tone: “You never know, he might be back next year, you never know. He’s certainly enjoying his last big year.”

Read these next:

'Maybe I pulled the elastic band too long' - Aidan O'Brien reflects on a race too far for Paddington 

Mostahdaf backs up improved Royal Ascot showing to dismiss Paddington in up-to-standard Juddmonte International 

'The body is telling me no' - dual champion jockey Paul Hanagan to retire from riding at York on Friday 

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