Dettori and Sheikh Mohammed reunited in glory as Raffle claims Queen Mary

It was just like the good old days.

True, on this occasion there was no warm hug between Frankie Dettori and Sheikh Mohammed, the world's most famous jockey saving his extravagant embrace for former Strictly Come Dancing judge Dame Darcey Bussell on the winner's podium. For Dubai's ruler he restricted himself to a respectful handshake, yet the significance of the moment was still obvious. If only briefly, the old firm had been reunited.

Raffle Prize edges out Kimari in the finish to the Queen Mary StakesCredit: Edward Whitaker

They became a union once more thanks to Mark Johnston and his filly Raffle Prize, who showed tenacity to match her ability when overhauling Wesley Ward's American raider Kimari at the end of a Queen Mary Stakes in which the 25 runners were confronted by driving rain.

Queen Mary Stakes: view the race replay along with the result here

Ickworth did not want to confront it and, following the lead of Accidental Agent on Tuesday, chose instead to stay in the stalls when they opened. That was a blow to Godolphin, but for the superpower's founder this was still a race to celebrate, as Raffle Prize races in the colours of his son, Sheikh Hamdan.

That meant Sheikh Mohammed and Dettori were brought together in victory at Ascot, where the longtime Godolphin number one had previously captured no fewer than 32 races at the royal meeting in the colours of either Godolphin, Sheikh Mohammed or Raffle Prize's young owner.

Now, seven years after parting company with the team, they met in glory once again.

"He was very pleased," said Dettori of Sheikh Mohammed after the contest. During the contest Dettori had become increasingly bullish.

He explained: "I looked at the form this morning and saw she had won over six furlongs, so I knew if I could keep tabs on Wesley's horses – and I did – that my filly would stay really well. Wesley came back after the race and he wanted to kill me!"

Frankie Dettori is interviewed by Rishi Persad after winning on Raffle PrizeCredit: Bryn Lennon

Such is their friendship, he probably did not, although Ward was plainly disappointed.

"It's tough getting beat in a big one like that," said Ward. "You want to get in there and be celebrating. I'm proud of her but Frankie is tough out there. It's his track and that's probably why we got beat."

Praise for Dettori came not only from Ward but also from Johnston, who used his post-race ITV interview with Oli Bell to hail Dettori the best of all time.

Johnston told Bell: "I was with you at the Highclere Ascot preview the other day and you introduced Frankie Dettori as the greatest jockey with the exception of Lester Piggott.

"With no disrespect to Lester, is Frankie not just the greatest jockey? I could see our filly tracking Wesley Ward's horse and Frankie looking reasonably relaxed. We couldn't have been in a better position."

Nor could his filly have been ridden by a better jockey. On a rainy day at Ascot, that jockey and Sheikh Mohammed had an extremely happy reunion.

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