Frankie Dettori hailed Palace Pier as potentially the best miler he has ever ridden as John and Thady Gosden’s colt claimed a third Group One in the Al Shaqab Lockinge Stakes at Newbury.
That is some claim considering the greats Dettori has partnered in his illustrious career – which spans more than three decades and includes the likes of Dubai Millennium, Barathea, Markofdistinction and Ramonti.
However, Palace Pier took his career record to seven wins from eight starts when beating the admirable Lady Bowthorpe by a length and a half.
His sole defeat came on Champions Day last year when he lost a shoe on leaving the stalls and did not act on very soft ground.
The son of Kingman oozed class, making a mid-race move three furlongs out which meant he was probably in front sooner than ideal and led to him idling close home.
It was impressive from the 1/2 favourite, though, and perhaps the only surprise was that his Italian jockey was not quite his usual flamboyant self on returning to the paddock.
“There was no flying dismount, because I did one at Chester on the same type of surface and fell over!” said Dettori.
That was his only problem, however, and if it comes after the race there is certainly no room for complaining.
“I found a nice rhythm after the start, and he usually hits a flat spot between the three and the two, so I went to lay up – but he just went ‘whoosh’ and took off,” added Dettori.
“I hit the front over two out, so he was a long time in front. He won like a really good horse.”
John Gosden said: “He’s a lovely horse, he relaxed well in the race – he got a little bit squeezed leaving the gate, Frankie said he got back further than he wanted.
“He came through very nicely, he said he had it won two out – he had to go, he got a little bit lonely looking around in front and I thought the filly ran a great race to be second. I’m thrilled for them.
“I think he would (get a mile and a quarter), he relaxes so well – you can put him where you want in a race, so to that extent we could do (step up), but it’s pretty obvious at this stage to go to the Queen Anne (at Royal Ascot) and think about it after that, whether we want to change trip.
“I could see that (Juddmonte International) as a very possible target for him – as you know Royal Ascot to the Eclipse is very tight, about 16 days, so that’s quite tough if they’ve had a hard race at Ascot to come back in 16 days.
“I think the Juddmonte would be a strong possibility, but there is a little race in France called the Prix Jacques le Marois at the same time, although getting to France is quite difficult now.
“He’s a son of Kingman. Kingman is a horse I could have brought back and run in the July Cup over six furlongs, he was that fast. Whereas this horse has got from the dam’s side the ability to stay.”
As for the gallant runner-up, William Jarvis is also planning to go to the Royal meeting, for the Duke of Cambridge Stakes, before heading for the Falmouth Stakes at Newmarket’s July fixture.
Jarvis said: “I hate finishing second, but I didn’t expect to win necessarily today – it was only if Palace Pier didn’t turn up, and I think he did run his race. I think we made him battle and we are five lengths clear of the third.
“I think it was a pretty good performance. I’m delighted with her.”
15:35 Newbury | Full result and free video form
1st 8 Palace Pier 1/2f
2nd 12 Lady Bowthorpe 22/1
3rd 11 Top Rank (IRE) 11/1
Winning Trainer: J & T Gosden | Winning Jockey: L Dettori
