It is no secret that Frankie Dettori feels at home whenever he races at Royal Ascot. In June this year, the Italian took his tally of winners at the Berkshire-based course to 50.
Yet, while reaching that landmark was a memorable afternoon for the flamboyant jockey, it was nothing compared to the events of 19 years ago today when despite already being a well known face in racing, Dettori would be propelled into the spotlight.
He had seven mounts that day at Ascot and while he was expected to pick up a victory or two along the way, winning each race was unthinkable. After all, the odds of such an achievement were regarded to be 25,051-1. As far as the bookmakers were concerned, they felt safe.
However, to the astonishment of everyone connected with the sport, one by one the man from Sardinia came out on top until he had cost the bookies millions of pounds.
First up was a routine win on board 2-1 shot Wall Street in the Cumberland Lodge Stakes, before Diffident won through in the Diadem Stakes.
Success on Mark of Esteem, Decorated Hero and Fatefully followed, with the latter in particular a close race between Dettori's horse and his friend Ray Cochrane on Abeyr.
He returned to the winners' enclosure for a sixth time following a victory with Lochangel in the Blue Seal Stakes. It meant that ahead of his seventh race, even BBC Sport halted its traditional coverage of Grandstand to see if Dettori could complete the clean sweep.
With all eyes on him, Dettori and his horse Fujiyama Crest dealt with the pressure well to cross the line in first place, much to the delight of all of those in attendance.
Speaking after that race, Cochrane said: "We abused him after the race, covered him in champagne, gave him a good hiding. It was a great day, a great day for racing really, never mind just him."
Meanwhile, talking more recently to BBC Sport, history-maker Dettori added: "It's my biggest feat. I won every race on the card and to do what I did will live long in the memories. I was the first one to ever do that 14 years ago and I'm still the first one. They even moved the news."
Today, at the entrance of the course, there is a bronze statue of Dettori to commemorate his achievements on that afternoon.
Liam Apicella
