Best eight days of my life, declares Dettori
by Desmond Stoneham


THE dream continued for Frankie Dettori at Chantilly on Sunday as he added to his Derby success last weekend by winning the French Oaks on impressive West Wind.

Having carried the colours of his boss Sheikh Mohammed in the Prix de Diane Hermes he proclaimed: "This has been the best eight days of my life."

Dettori, winning the race for the first time, rode a cool race on West Wind, who was providing trainer Alex Pantall with a first Group 1 win.

She was a little free early on but Dettori managed to put her into a little pocket before extracting her to challenge a furlong and a half from the line. The daughter of Machiavellian kicked like a class act and passed the post a length and a half clear of long-time leader Mrs Lindsay, followed by outsiders Diyakalanie, Anabaa's Creation and the Beatrix Kiddo.

Dettori, who had the unusual experience of being whisked off to ride an elephant after the race for the sponsors Hermes, said of his Classic-winning run: "This is just crazy."

He added: "I am so pleased for Sheikh Mohammed. He released me to ride Authorized in the Derby and this was the least I could do for him."

Dettori, who is due to have a couple of days' holiday in the south of France, went on: "Alex Pantall was so sweet on West Wind before the race and I just had to keep out of trouble. I followed Christophe Soumillon on Vadapolina and she just kicked when I pressed the button 300 yards out. I just enjoyed the rest of the race and she is a very special filly."

West Wind, who was supplemented into the race at a cost of €40,000, had already shown considerable talent when winning at Chantilly last month and she had been brought to a peak at exactly the right moment by Pantall, who started training in 1980.

After the race an emotional Pantall said: "Last Tuesday she did something on the home gallops that was quite extraordinary and I was very confident before the race.  

"All I was worried about was that she might have traffic problems but Frankie Dettori gave her a great ride. As a two-year-old she was a powerful and big filly who just wouldn't lose weight. Then suddenly she started to last November and I nearly took her down to Cagnes-sur-Mer. She is still a baby and is improving enormously. The filly will now have a rest while I await the instructions of Sheikh Mohammed."

The winner received a 20-1 quote from Coral for the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe.

Mrs Lindsay ran her heart out under Johnny Murtagh in second place having tried to make all. She stuck to her guns until West Wind came at her half way up the straight and she could not quicken in the same way as the winner.

Trainer Francois Rohaut said: "I told Johnny to break quickly and we had to go on although it wasn't our idea. I thought the filly was given a brilliant race and she has now deserved a rest. She has progressed a lot since winning the Penelope in April and I may take her down to Deauville in August."

Once again, the Prix Saint-Alary form did not work out. The winner of that race, Coquerelle, was reported to be "never to be going well" by Christophe Lemaire as she ended up almost tailed off in last position. The Saint-Alary runner up Believe Me did a little better as she took sixth position.

The Aga Khan's Vadapolina was sent off as favourite and was also a little disappointing back in eighth position. The owner's acing manager Georges Rimaud said: "There wasn't enough early pace and she pulled and then had no chance to breathe properly coming down the hill. This led to her not running on in the straight. The filly will now have a break."

Darryll Holland was close to the winner turning into the straight on Sweet Lilly but the filly could not quicken thereafter and was eventually beaten over 12 lengths back in 12th position.

Holland said: "She travelled good throughout and we were with the winner to challenge but she faded in the straight. I was slightly disappointed."

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