British Champions Sprint: Dettori dominates at Ascot as Kinross takes another Group One | Racing News

Frankie Dettori weaved more magic at Ascot as he guided Kinross and Emily Upjohn to Group One victories on Champions Day.

A well-backed favourite throughout the morning, Dettori and Kinross always looked to be on the right part of the track and travelled smoothly behind a hot pace in a big field.

And as that pace slackened, the duo – who teamed up for a Group One over seven furlongs at ParisLongchamp earlier this month – picked up and quickened away to have over two lengths in hand at the line.

The 150/1 outsider Run To Freedom chased home the winner for Henry Candy, with Creative Force back in third for champion jockey William Buick.

A jubilant Dettori said: “Ralph has been training fantastically this year. Two Group Ones in the space of two weeks for Kinross and we will take him to America now (Breeders’ Cup Mile).

“I kicked earlier than I usually would with him. I know seven is his optimum trip so I said ‘let’s go, come and catch me’.

“Kinross loves the conditions, Ralph has found the key to this horse, he keeps him happy at home and doesn’t do much with him. He is in tremendous form.”

Trainer Beckett confirmed after the race that Kinross could head to the Breeders’ Cup at Keeneland next month, live on Sky Sports Racing.

Emily delivers the Dettori double

Emily Upjohn brought up the Group One double in the following race, blowing away her rivals in the Qipco British Champions Fillies & Mares Stakes for John & Thady Gosden.

The three-year-old filly bounced right back to her best at Ascot, pulling clear to win by three lengths from Thunder Kiss (50/1) and Insinuendo (80/1) who followed her home in second and third.

She looked at have the world at her feet when a narrow and possibly unlucky second in the Cazoo Oaks earlier this season, before a very disappointing last of sixth in the King George at Ascot in July.

But this was a return to form and arguably a career best, with a delighted Dettori hailing the filly after the race.

“It would have been heartbreaking not to win a Group One with this filly this year after what happened at Epsom in the Oaks,” said Dettori.

“She’s won a Group One, I’m delighted and she will stay in training next year.

“Nothing went right at Epsom, then for some reason she ran no race in the King George. John and the owners decided to give her a break. I’ve been riding her last couple of mornings and she has been given me the ‘wow’ factor again.

“It’s an amazing job the team has done. After four months to be pitched into a Group One and do what she did is amazing.”