Frankie Dettori reacts to winning six consecutive races at odds of 77,000-1

The legendary Italian jockey, 53, achieved the feat on derby day at Santa Anita in California.

Dettori, who has more than 3,300 career winners, has been riding in the United States since delaying his retirement plans last year.

He rode 11 horses in Saturday’s derby meeting at Santa Anita, winning six successive races at 9-4, 6-1, 12-1, 9-2, 10-1 and 10-3 – making combined odds of more than 77,000-1.

‘I adore this place and to be able to say that I won six races on Derby day is beyond my wildest dreams,’ Dettori said.

‘I don’t know how to put it into words. Is it real? Am I dreaming? Is this really happening? It’s incredible. I just don’t know what to say.’

The day could have been even better for Dettori, who was narrowly beaten on 5-4 favourite Imagination in the Grand One derby.

But he did claim a surprising victory in the Grant Two Santa Anita Oaks aboard 10-1 outsider Nothing Like You.

‘He’s just a phenomenon,’ Nothing Like You trainer Bob Baffert said. ‘He is world-class and has brought his talent to every stage.’

Dettori’s effort almost matched the record for the most victories by a jockey at one Santa Anita meeting, with Laffit Pincay Jr riding seven in March 1987.

The three-time British flat racing Champion Jockey rode all seven winners at Royal Ascot in September 1996 at odds of more than 25,000-1.

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