Royal Ascot has always been a place to be seen, this year though perhaps it's more about who won't be here, rather than who is. Racing lost its greatest patron with the death of Queen Elizabeth II last year and will lose its greatest showman when Frankie Dettori finally calls time on his career this autumn.
It's 34 years since an unknown 18-year-old Italian had his first ride at the meeting, 77 winners later - putting him second to only the legendary Lester Piggott on the all-time list - and it's hard to accept this weekend is the end of that era.
Even more so when you consider that Dettori is still at the top of his game, Classic wins at Newmarket and Epsom in recent weeks prompting some to question why the 52-year-old - who has never been a fan of the quiet life - is calling it quits.
