Dettori escapes serious injury after fall at Ascot

Frankie Dettori took a crashing fall on Saturday in a dramatic finale to Ascot's summer showpiece, the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes.

His mount, Rewilding of Godolphin, suddenly lost his footing shortly after the high-class five-strong field turned into the straight.

The horse broke a leg and had to be put down. Helped by ambulance staff, Dettori limped off on his favourite track but escaped serious injury.

The loss is a huge blow to the Dubai-based racing operation and comes just over a month after a famous victory for Rewilding at the same racetrack.

"Rewilding, Godolphin’s top older horse this year, was humanely put down after breaking his near fore leg," said Godolphin in a statement on its website.
 
The horse won the prestigious Prince of Wales's Stakes at Royal Ascot, beating the red-hot favourite So You Think close.
 
Previously, Rewilding broke through at the elite level with a runaway victory in the $5m Group One Dubai Sheema Classic at Meydan in March.

Unbeaten in two Group Ones this year, Rewilding was about to deliver his challenge two furlongs out when he faltered and unseated Dettori.

Simon Crisford, the Godolphin racing manager, said: "It is a tragedy. Unfortunately, we have lost him as he has had to be put down."

Victory went to 11-2 chance Nathaniel, ridden by William Buick for trainer John Gosden.

The colt held off 2010 Epsom Derby and Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe winner Workforce who swerved badly in the closing stages under jockey Ryan Moore and lost by two lengths.

Nathaniel is now a 7-1 chance for this year's Arc at Longchamp in October.

An emotional Buick, who is half-Norwegian, told BBC TV: "The horse is just getting better and better and he's shown today how good he is."