The 13th race at Royal Ascot 2023 proved to be the charm for Frankie Dettori, as he put behind him his significant setbacks on the opening day and finally got a winner on the board at his last Royal meeting. Dettori seized control of the Queen’s Vase from the off aboard Gregory, the even-money favourite, and simply refused to yield as Saint George and Oisin Murphy ground their way to within a head of the leader in the straight.
It was the moment that Dettori and also the meeting had needed and, having fought off Saint George after he came alongside a furlong out, Gregory stayed on again to finish a length and a half clear at the line. It was a performance with “St Leger” running through it like a watermark and Gregory is now favourite for the final British Classic of the season, and also of Dettori’s long career.
