Frankie Dettori is to renew acquaintances with the John and Thady Gosden team as he has been booked to ride his old ally Emily Upjohn in the Breeders’ Cup Turf (G1T) at Del Mar Nov. 2
The United States-based rider partnered the 5-year-old to her two group 1 wins in Britain in the British Champions Fillies & Mares Stakes (G1) at Ascot in 2022 and the Coronation Cup (G1) at Epsom last year and will take over from Kieran Shoemark, who has ridden her on all six starts this year.
Emily Upjohn finished an excellent third to subsequent Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe (G1) one-two Bluestocking and Aventure in the Prix Vermeille (G1) at Longchamp last month and has since enjoyed a racecourse gallop at Chelmsford Oct. 24 to put her spot on for her California trip.
Bluestocking defeats Emily Upjohn (left) in the Pretty Polly Stakes at the Curragh
Dettori rode the Gosden-trained Inspiral to success in the Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Turf (G1T) at Santa Anita Park a year ago and it is his superior local knowledge that has led to the jockey change on Emily Upjohn.
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John Gosden said Oct. 25: “Frankie Dettori rides Emily Upjohn. Obviously he is over there riding at the moment and knows the Del Mar track very well. He also knows the filly very well.”
Emily Upjohn is a 7-1 chance for the Turf with Paddy Power, but is also a general 9-4 favorite for the Filly & Mare Turf.
Emily Upjohn is due to ship out to California Oct. 26 and Gosden added: “Emily Upjohn worked well at Chelmsford yesterday and all being well she will be running in the Turf over a mile and a half.”
On the reasoning behind going for the Turf, he said: “Del Mar is the tightest turf course in America. It was built many years ago inside the dirt track, which itself is tight.
“Consequently, it has the shortest turf straight in America, which is why we are running in a mile and a half, as the starting gate is better positioned in that contest than the Filly & Mare Turf.”
