The Queen has unveiled a sculpture of veteran jockey Frankie Dettori at Ascot to mark his farewell to Britain. Camilla attended QIPCO British Champions Day at the Berkshire racecourse yesterday where she was assisted by members of the Greencoats to uncover the bronze statue.
They have formed the ceremonial guard for royalty at Ascot since 1744. Designed by Tristram Lewis and erected by the Grandstand Lawn, the artwork depicts the 52-year-old Italian mounted on a horse.
It was cast by Fonderia Artista Art’u di Gaetano Salmista of Florence and Pemburys Fine Arts to act as a permanent reminder of the jockey’s “unparalleled contribution” to racing.
Frankie had initially planned to retire this year but will instead move to Los Angeles with wife Catherine in December and continue racing on the US circuit and internationally.
Camilla, wearing a green dress coat by Anna Valentine, with a brooch that belonged to Queen Elizabeth, and a hat by Philip Treacy, spoke to the double-Derby winner and Mr Lewis.
Frankie had his first ride at Royal Ascot in 1987 and recorded 81 victories at the famous meeting – and 229 winners at Ascot overall.
In 1996, he rode all seven winners on the Saturday of the Festival of British Racing, a precursor to British Champions Day.
He began yesterday with a thrilling victory on Trawlerman in the Long Distance Cup, later winning the Champion Stakes on King of Steel on the final ride of his British career.
“Ascot has been everything to me,” said Frankie. “My first Group 1 winner was when I was 19. It is where it all started, and concludes with nine Gold Cups, seven King Georges, 81 winners at Royal Ascot and victories today. It’s wonderful to be immortalised at such a great track and to have your own statue while you are still alive.
“Tristram Lewis has created a humbling tribute and I would like to thank him, Ascot and all those that have supported this impactful artwork.”
The idea for the sculpture came in 2019 with work beginning in December 2021. A UK foundry produced the first two quarter-scale casts, one going to the Jockey Club and the other being displayed at Royal Ascot.
Mr Lewis said: “It was a real pleasure to be able to work on this project and bring it to life.”
During her visit to Ascot, Camilla also judged the Best Turned Out in the parade ring before presenting trophies for the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes.
