King Charles III attended the fourth day of Royal Ascot on Friday, presenting the Coronation Stakes trophy to trainer Dermot Welch and jockey Chris Hayes. The monarch's presence added to the occasion as Frankie Dettori continued his final Ascot meeting before retirement.
Dettori, who won the Gold Cup on Thursday aboard Courage Mon Ami for his ninth success in that race, rode again on Friday in the King Edward VII Stakes on Arrest. However, the favourite for that race was King of Steel, owned by football agent Kia Joorabchian, who finished second in the Derby at Epsom.
Earlier, the Sandringham Stakes saw Dettori ride Coppice, second favourite behind Jackie Oh. The final race of the day, the Palace of Holyroodhouse Stakes, featured 27 runners with Tatterstall among the contenders, having won the 3YO 'Dash' Handicap at Epsom on Derby day.
Dettori has been urged to delay his retirement after his recent successes, but he reiterated his plan to retire on Champions Day at Ascot on October 21, followed by rides abroad. 'Every day I get asked. At the moment I'm retiring – October 21 (in England) and then abroad. I'm sticking to it,' he said.
