Singspiel proves too good for Desert King

Frankie Dettori hailed Singspiel "the best horse I've ever ridden" after the pair humbled Bosra Sham to land a brilliant victory…

Frankie Dettori hailed Singspiel "the best horse I've ever ridden" after the pair humbled Bosra Sham to land a brilliant victory at York yesterday.

He led the cheers for Europe's record money earner following their defeat of Derby winners Desert King and Benny The Dip in the Group One Juddmonte International.

Bosra Sham, the 4 to 5 favourite, finished over four lengths last after losing a shoe from the nearfore foot that had troubled her during the build-up.

But she still cannot match the record of Singspiel, the Japan and Dubai World Cup winner, who took his earnings past £3.6 million by scooping the £160,000 first prize.

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In his own hall of fame, Dettori rates Singspiel higher than the unbeaten Lammtarra and Halling, twice a winner of the race.

Despite Singspiel's big race reliability, he was beaten into fourth by Swain in the King George VI And Queen Elizabeth Diamond Stakes.

But trainer Michael Stoute brought him back to his best yesterday and when Dettori delivered his challenge to Benny The Dip over three furlongs out, the race was won.

"What a display! He never looked like he was going to be beaten today," exclaimed Stoute.

"The ground killed him at Ascot. It was like a mile and five furlong race. He was a very tired horse afterwards, but he is also mature and has really bounced back.

"I think that is the last time you will see him in Europe. The Breeders' Cup Classic has been mooted but we will have to discuss that now that his European programme is over."

Bosra Sham's second successive big race failure, following her defeat in the Eclipse, failed to shake Henry Cecil's faith in the filly as the best he's trained.

"Pat (Eddery) said she was going well but then she lost the shoe turning into the straight and that was it," said Cecil.

"It was on the foot that's been causing the problems and I just hope that's the reason why she disappointed. It's very sad she's been beaten but I still by what I've said about her.

Aidan O'Brien, trainer of Desert King, had better luck in the opener, the Deploy Acomb Stakes, when Saratoga Springs' victory saw him earn quotes of 20 to 1 (Coral) and 25 to 1 (William Hill) for the English 2,000 Guineas.

Bookmakers also decided to chop the 2,000 Guineas price of Saratoga Springs' much-vaunted stablemate King of Kings. William Hill now quote him as the 6 to 1 joint-favourite with Daggers Drawn for the Newmarket Classic.