‘Nothing is forever’ – Frankie Dettori cheering on Stradivarius at Goodwood after iconic partnership suffers bitter end

THERE are some beautiful tracks in this world to ride a racehorse… and there’s Goodwood.

It really is a Glorious place and I can’t think of any other course with such wonderful views.

Reuters

It’s the end of an era for Frankie and Stradivarius – but he still hopes the superstar stayer can go out with a bang at Goodwood[/caption]

The place is special, even more so when the weather is good and the sun is out. Wow. I love it.

The track also holds a very special place in my heart.

It’s where I rode my first ever winner in England, and trust me it’s not a very easy place to do it!

Although the views are second to none it’s one of trickiest tracks to ride. Draw plays a big part, especially in the big handicaps.

A low draw is the best on the round course. In the sprints it is more about getting a fast start or being where the pace is.

It’s a place where you get plenty of hard luck stories as there can be a bit of trouble on the run for home.

So although you can just get very unlucky, there’s no doubt it’s a very fun track to ride too.

As everyone knows I won’t be on Strad in the Goodwood Cup but I wish my good friend Andrea Atzeni all the best. I hope he gets a bit more luck than I did at Ascot.

However I’m sure Strad will go well for him. He knows the horse and they won the Goodwood Cup together in 2018. I think Andrea is three from three on him and I’d love to see them win this afternoon.

Things happen in life and nothing is forever but I’m still Strad’s number one fan and I’ll be the first one cheering him home, that’s for sure.

Maybe Andrea will do a flying dismount if they win!

My first ride at the meeting is FOREST FALCON (1.50).

It’s always good when you get a call from Mark Johnston ahead of Goodwood — you know you’ll have a chance if you’re riding for him this week as he is the top trainer at the meeting.

Obviously, we’ve not got a great draw, but that’s not everything over this trip and he’s been in good form this season, so fingers crossed.

KINROSS (3.00) is a nice horse and I’m looking forward to getting back on him in the Lennox Stakes.

He won this race last year, and though he’d prefer a bit more cut in the ground, I suspect the track has been well-watered during this dry spell.

He doesn’t know how to run a bad race, and this will be ideal in terms of trip.

There aren’t too many seven-furlong races, so he had to drop back to six at Ascot, but this is what he wants. He’s got a good turn of foot, so I’ll be patient with him and hope the gaps open.

Sacred is a worthy favourite, but I do think it’s a competitive race and there’s not just one horse to beat.

Pogo, for example, has been running very well this year and has to be respected too.

KINGS JOY (5.20) is not without a chance in the fillies handicap over a mile. She has always looked like a nice filly at home.

She is tough too, and — if you forget her last run — then her form looks very solid.

Frankie was speaking in association with Sporting Index.

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