Frankie Dettori set to compete at Down Royal racecourse this Friday
Frankie Dettori set to make historic appearance at Down Royal
Racegoers at Down Royal are in for a rare treat on Friday as legendary jockey Frankie Dettori is set to make his first-ever appearance at the Lisburn circuit. Despite nearing the end of his illustrious career, the 52-year-old shows no signs of slowing down, with an impressive string of big-race victories both domestically and internationally so far in 2023.
Last weekend, Dettori surprised fans by making a stop in Hungary for a double win at Kincsem Park in Budapest, thrilling spectators with his trademark flying dismount. Now, he turns his attention to Northern Ireland for his first competitive outing there.
The efforts of Down Royal’s chief executive Emma Meehan have paid off as she worked tirelessly to secure Dettori’s attendance since spring. Meehan expressed her delight that their persistence has finally borne fruit:
“We’ve been trying to get him here before his swansong, as it will be the first time he’ll ride in Northern Ireland,” said Meehan. “In April this year, I reached out and received confirmation that he would welcome the visit. Thankfully, their interest hasn’t waned.”
Dettori’s presence is not only exciting for racegoers but also holds historical significance for both local punters and Down Royal itself:
“It’s fantastic for punters in Northern Ireland to have him here at their local track,” Meehan continued. “And it’s great for us at Down Royal; having him here becomes part of our rich history.”
A Day Full of Firsts
Dettori has two mounts lined up for races at Down Royal. The first is No Thanks, trained by Matthew Smith, who will compete in the two-and-a-quarter-mile Grant Thornton Ulster Cesarewitch Handicap. In the subsequent event, Dettori will partner with Evening’s Empire, trained by Eddie and Patrick Harty for the Children’s Heartbeat Trust Handicap.
After racing concludes at 7:30 pm, a special gathering called “An Evening with Frankie Dettori” takes place in one of Down Royal’s suites. Hosted by Kevin O’Ryan and Fran Berry, this event offers fans an exclusive opportunity to delve into Dettori’s extraordinary career:
“They’ll catch up with him about his career,” Meehan revealed. “There’ll be an audience attending; tickets were pre-sold for this occasion.”
Meehan anticipates a great turnout due to favorable weather conditions and ongoing ticket sales:
“Sales are going well, and we’re hoping more people come through our doors. It will be a memorable evening—a truly special day for us.”
Don’t miss out on witnessing history as Frankie Dettori graces Down Royal with his presence!