Mostahdaf puts Frankie Dettori in Juddmonte International Stakes record books
Mostahdaf ridden by jockey Frankie Dettori wins the Juddmonte International Stakes at York
Frankie Dettori becomes the Juddmonte International Stakes leading rider after guiding Mostahdaf home on day one of the Ebor Festival at York.
Frankie Dettori produced a brilliant front-running ride aboard Mostahdaf as he lowered the colours of Paddington in a thrilling edition of the Juddmonte International Stakes at York.
Deputising for the suspended Jim Crowley aboard John and Thady Gosden's Royal Ascot scorer, Dettori wasted little time in bouncing the 3/1 second favourite out of the stalls and quickly into stride, he set perfect fractions as the Shadwell-owned five-year-old made every yard of the running.
Although Ryan Moore received the desired response when asking Paddington to close the gap in the home straight, he ultimately had no answer to Mostahdaf who kept finding extra under an ultra-confident Dettori as he registered a length success and followed up the owner's victory in the Group One contest with the imperious Baaeed 12 months ago.
Stablemate Nashwa edged her way past Paddington for the silver medal late on as the Clarehaven team enjoyed a fabulous one-two, but the day belonged to Dettori who by winning the race for the first time since 2007, moved past Lester Piggott to become the contest's leading rider.
Mostahdaf's success was another high-profile victory in the Shadwell colours in what has been a fine campaign, with Hukum's King George verdict at Ascot and Al Husn's Nassau win at Goodwood other moments to savour in recent weeks.
Shadwell's racing manager Angus Gold said: "To win the races we've done this year has been incredible - the Prince of Wales's, the King George, the Nassau and this (race). It's been an amazing year.
"We have to enjoy it and be grateful. This was a proper race. I was sad for York and the crowd there were only four runners, but it was a quality race on paper and it lived up to its billing.
"We knew if we stood any chance of beating Paddington, we had to do something different rather than let him have his own way out in front again.
"Frankie proved a good substitute to have on the day. We weren't too worried changing tack because this horse has won over a mile and a half, as long as Frankie got the pace right."
