GOLDEN Horn demonstrated his immense ability by following up his stylish success in the Derby with a history-making victory in the Coral-Eclipse at Sandown.
Since 1952, only four horses have successfully supplemented Epsom glory with victory in the 10-furlong Group One, with Sea The Stars the last to complete the double in 2009.
The John Gosden-trained Golden Horn has now joined that elite band, but he also went one step further in becoming the first to win the Derby, Dante and Eclipse - a feat that has eluded the likes of Reference Point, Motivator, Authorized, Erhaab and Benny The Dip.
While the race was robbed of some of its glamour with the defect- ion of French Derby winner New Bay on Monday, it still served up a treat in what was an intriguing clash of the generations between Golden Horn and The Grey Gatsby, winner of last year's French Derby and Irish Champion Stakes.
Although the 4-9 favourite was slowly away from the stalls, Dettori kept to his planned tactics by quickly pushing Golden Horn into the lead by the end of the opening furlong to ensure a suitable gallop.
On paper it looked a two-horse race and so it proved as Jamie Spencer dropped The Grey Gatsby in behind Golden Horn. Turning for home there was little change in the order, but surprisingly it was Dettori who was the first to get lower in the saddle as The Grey Gatsby loomed up under a confident-looking Spencer racing down to the two-furlong pole, seemingly travelling much the better.
However, Dettori had a partner who was not going to back down as Golden Horn pulled out a little extra to push on again and cross the line three-and-a-half lengths clear, maintaining his unbeaten status much to the delight of a jubilant Dettori, who was winning the race for a third time.
Gosden, who saddled Nathaniel to win in 2012, said: "I think the moment the draw came out we knew we had to go forward. We hoped someone else would go on and they didn't. For him to go forward like that, something he has never done before in training, shows how versatile he is. He did it beautifully.
"What a lovely clean race, with The Grey Gatsby right there. It was clean all the way, with a top three-year-old and a top older horse. The Grey Gatsby ran a blinder. It was only in the final furlong that he shook him off.
"I thought it was a real ding-dong and then in the last furlong he's asserted properly and strongly. He's found three lengths. He's a very high-class horse.
"If he's in good form, of course the King George would be wonderful to run in, but if it's a dance too far then we wouldn't. We'll do right by the horse."
"He's not in the Arc, so he'd have to be supplemented. I think he'd be an Arc horse unless it went bottomless."
Dettori rates the Cape Cross colt as among the best he has partnered. "He's been working brilliantly and he's a Derby winner getting the weight allowance," he said. "We said 'we know he's the best horse, let's prove to the world that he is', so we did it the hard way.
"It kind of took him by surprise as he's never been in front.
"Jamie Spencer rode a great race and took me on three out and got upsides at the two. My horse had every chance to give in, but he showed what a true champion he is. He wouldn't go down and put some daylight between them at the end.
"He's a remarkable horse and up there with the very best I've ridden. In all the races I've rode him in, he never finishes tired. He must have a remarkable physique as he hits the line running every time. I think he's still got some left."
Winning owner-breeder Anthony Oppenheimer said: "I was always worried with The Grey Gatsby there and they were fighting it out towards the end.
"Then, suddenly, this horse found another gear and just took off. Frankie says we haven't got to the bottom of him yet, so we shall see."
"It's very exciting, very exciting indeed."
Kevin Ryan, trainer of The Grey Gatsby, was thrilled with the performance of his stable star.
He said: "It was a great race, which the race deserves to be. I think we've seen a very exceptional horse, I think we've seen two exceptional horses, for him to concede the weight he has done."
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