FRANKIE DETTORI kicked off his final day at Ascot with a 999-1 in-running winner but defeat in the second spared bookies a £10MILLION payout.
Trawlerman hit the maximum mark of 1000 (999-1) during the closing stages of the opening Long Distance Cup on Champions Day.
But Dettori showed expert timing and horsemanship to eek a bit more out of his horse to see off 11-10 fav Kyprios.
He said afterwards: “I heard the roar of the crowd, oh my God, it was special.
“I couldn’t believe it. I have beaten one of my greatest rivals – I have tremendous respect for Ryan Moore [rider of Kyprios] – on my final day… sensational!”
It meant Dettori won his first of five races on the day – although went down agonisingly in the next on hot fav Kinross.
The Marc Chan-owned horse hit the lowest price on the Betfair Exchange of 1.01 as he went to the front with £2,500 staked on him.
But gallant 40-1 grey Art Power fought back to nut him on the line.
It meant bookies breathed a huge sigh of relief as they were spared a payout in the millions.
They had feared being done for over £10million if Dettori’s five rides had landed.
The Italian nearly sent half of them bust with his legendary Magnificent Seven back in 1996.
Dettori got the leg up on Free Wind in the Fillies and Mares race at 2.25 and finished fifth as 22-1 Poptronic sprung a shock.
Chaldean couldn’t land a blow in the QEII Stakes – while his final ride will be King Of Steel in the Champion Stakes at 3.45.
Before racing, Dettori, 52, was joined by Queen Camilla as a statue at the racecourse was unveiled in his honour.
Her Royal Majesty was dressed in an emerald green dress coat and matching hat as she arrived at the track.
In honour of the occasion the Queen Consort, who attended the event alone, was pictured wearing a small diamante horse brooch.
The brooch pays a touching tribute to her late mother-in-law as it was gifted to her in 2016 on her 90th birthday.
Sun Racing will bring you all the results from Champions Day as they happen here.
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