FRANKIE DETTORI wallowed in deserved adulation after making history on brilliant Juddmonte International Stakes winner Halling at York yesterday. The champion jockey milked the roars of applause that recognised Halling's unique double double back to back wins in both the Eclipse and the International Stakes.
And he treated the crowds to his trademark flying dismount to celebrate his first success in the £200,000 event his father Gianfranco took on Wollow 20 years ago.
Dettori was jubilant after helping Halling capture the race of the year, just 11 days after returning from a long spell on the injured list.
He made all the running on the 6 to 4 favourite to convincingly defeat Sussex Stakes winner First Island by three lengths, with Bijou d'Inde a further length and a halfback in third.
In the process Halling shattered the race record time and was only fractionally outside Erhaab's track best.
"Halling has got everything - pace and stamina," Dettori enthused to Sheikh Mohammed. "He has speed for a mile and can relax over a mile and a half. He would have won over two miles today."
That should lead Halling to the Champion Stakes at Newmarket in October, before retirement, but the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe and Breeders Cup Turf are also possible targets.
The runner up will now return to a mile for the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes at Ascot, as will Bijou d'Inde. "We are not totally devastated. Hem was hanging on in there but certainly not staying on at the finish," said Bijou d'Inde's handler Mark Johnston.
Dushyantor put a mystery flop behind him to leave his trainer Henry Cecil with a St Leger poser.
His spirited performance in the Great Voltigeur Stakes gives Cecil the option of mounting a two pronged attack on the Doncaster classic.
The trainer is still hoping the Oaks winner Lady Carla, a defector from today's Yorkshire Oaks, will represent him in the St Leger.
But he was playing his cards close to his chest regarding Dushyantor and said: "In the end that will be up to his owner Khalid Abdullah."
Dushyantor finished runner up in the Derby but had failed to fire when only fourth in the Irish equivalent.
The sparkle was back as he showed plenty of pluck to hold the renewed challenge of Mons by three parts of a length.
"This horse has done really well but they are not machines and he didn't run well in Irelands" said Cecil.
"He's in the St Leger but it might be that Prince Khalid will want to keep him to one and a half miles."
The trainer is hopeful that Lady Carla will be fit in time for the St Leger despite her absence this week.
"She's had a little muscle spasm in her back and I didn't want to take any risks but I'm hoping she will be 100 per cent for Doncaster," he said.
Luca Cuniani was delighted with the performance of Mons and confirmed that his next race will be the St Lever.
Walter Swinburn survived a scare when returning to the big race limelight with a victory aboard Yom Jam eel in the Melrose Handicap.
The jockey, who only returned to action eight days ago after sustaining a life threatening injury in February, appeared to lose his irons and looked in danger of being unshipped as he passed the post.
But Swinburn was eventually able to bring his mount under control without mishap.
"I didn't lose my irons. My legs just turned to jelly and my toe couldn't hold on," he explained.
Options Open, a holder of two course records, finally came good this season when defeating the favourite Double Splendour in the Eagle Lane Handicap.
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