Racing jockey Frankie Dettori has been secured for an upcoming $3.5 million race in the U.S. by James Owen, with Wimbledon Hawkeye also participating in the event.
In the world of horse racing, two powerhouses are set to collide in the upcoming Nashville Derby. The three-year-old Wimbledon Hawkeye, owned by the esteemed Gredley family, has been invited to run in this prestigious race on August 30. And who better to guide this talented colt than the legendary jockey, Frankie Dettori?
Wimbledon Hawkeye has been in exceptional form, finishing second in the Group 3 Craven Stakes and the Group 2 Princess of Wales's Stakes. Most recently, the horse showed no signs of slowing down, finishing second in the Group 3 Gordon Stakes at Goodwood last month.
The Nashville Derby, with its $3.5 million prize, promises to be a challenging yet exciting race. Last year, the event was won by the Andrew Balding-trained Bellum Justum. This year, Dettori and Wimbledon Hawkeye aim to make history.
Dettori, who has been performing exceptionally well at US tracks recently, is the perfect choice for the job. Since moving from Britain at the end of 2023, he has secured five Grade 1 victories. His impressive list of trainers includes Bob Baffert, Chad Brown, and Doug O'Neill, with whom he recently teamed up to win the Hill 'n' Dale Metropolitan Handicap on Raging Torrent at Saratoga last month.
Dettori has also been booked to ride Wimbledon Hawkeye in the Nashville Derby. This isn't the first time he's worked with British trainers who have saddled runners in the US with success. In the last two years, he's ridden for John and Thady Gosden, Andrew Balding, and Owen Burrows in the US.
Moreover, Dettori has shown enthusiasm for new venues, having made his debut at Presque Isle Downs last year, finishing eighth aboard B.G Warrior. Despite not winning, he expressed his eagerness to return.
In addition to his wins, Dettori has been in high demand, with prominent booked rides such as Saturday Flirt at Hawthorne Turf Stakes and Nobals, a Breeders’ Cup winner. However, there have been instances where he has been replaced, such as by Jose Ortiz for May Day Ready at Lake Placid.
As the countdown to the Nashville Derby begins, racing enthusiasts eagerly await the showdown between Wimbledon Hawkeye and the other contenders. With Dettori at the helm, the three-year-old colt is poised to make a strong impact in this highly anticipated race.
