Frankie Dettori visibly emotional remembering The Queen at Doncaster as he joins jockeys in black armbands and silence
FRANKIE DETTORI led an emotional tribute to The Queen at Doncaster races as jockeys wore black armbands and observed a two-minute silence.
All racing in Britain was cancelled on Friday and Saturday after Queen Elizabeth II passed away peacefully aged 96 on Thursday.
The St Leger, the last Classic of the season, was due to be run at Doncaster on Saturday.
But that has been pushed back to today as part of a bumper nine-race card at the track.
Before the first race, which Dettori won on 2-1 Chaldean, he led a solemn remembrance in honour of The Queen, for whom he rode a Royal Ascot winner in 1995.
The iconic jockey looked visibly emotional as the silence was observed.
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Dettori was joined by the likes of William Buick, Jim Crowley, Hayley Turner and David Egan in bowing their heads in the pre-parade ring.
There is another meeting at Chepstow in Wales on Sunday and all meetings from now until The Queen’s state funeral on Monday week will see flags at half-mast, jockeys wearing black armbands and a moment’s silence before the first race of each day.
There will be no racing on the day of the funeral, which will also be a bank holiday.
Dettori told Sun Racing how he burst with pride when racing in The Queen’s famous purple, gold and red silks.
The world’s most famous jockey, 51, said: “It was an honour and a privilege — and even better when you won!
“In all I was lucky enough to ride over 50 winners for the Queen and each one was very special — but none more so than at Royal Ascot back in 1995.
“I rode Phantom Gold to win the Ribblesdale and, for me, it was the ultimate victory.
“The filly was bred by the Queen and trained by Lord Huntingdon and, at home, let’s say she was a bit of a troublemaker — a headstrong girl.
“But on that day at Royal Ascot she was sensational and the moment I asked her to quicken at the furlong pole she powered home for me.
“I was only 24 at the time and, to this day, it is still one of the greatest and most satisfying wins of my career.
“It was a great occasion and just fantastic to return to the winners’ enclosure and see the Queen so happy and smiling.”
The Queen was racing’s greatest supporter, her knowledge of bloodlines and pedigrees second to none.
She had more than a fair few winners in her time too.
Perhaps her most favourite was Estimate in the 2013 Gold Cup at Royal Ascot.
Mourners lined the streets this morning as Her Majesty’s oak coffin began its six-hour journey through Scotland.