The secret to Frankies success….

If the old adage of horses for courses is true, does the same apply for jockeys? Yesterday Frankie Dettori provided the jewel in the crown at Royal Ascot when he steered Colour Vision to victory by half a length in the Gold Cup. Remarkably, this is the fifth time the Italian has weaved his way to the front of the field in this marquee race. How did he do it again? Surely he is old, past it? Maybe it was divine intervention, an unworldly gift, the aligning of the galaxies. Or maybe it was the mans instinctual determination to stick two fingers up to those who doubted him, advising him to retire when basically, he doesn’t want to?

Horse racing is a technical sport. Two athletes are involved, they both have to be in the best physical condition and they need to work together to be successful. Don’t underestimate or dismiss the role of a jockey in the partnership; they aren’t merely passengers. The fitness, agility and strength necessary to produce the best performance from a hot-blooded, highly-conditioned animal with expectation from trainer, owner and punters, silently yelling, screaming and shouting anxious glares and nervous scowls at you in the betting ring beforehand and voraciously vocalizing the same sentiments when you get on to the track.

The physiological strains have the potential to be enormous, as they can be in many other sports. But this isn’t anything new for Dettori, he is used to such anticipation. What is not normal is the disappointment of not being entrusted a ride. There was a time, not long ago, when he was the number one pick. However, in 2012 he was overlooked for the Oaks and couldn’t get a chance in the Derby at Epsom either. At 42 years old he has been dethroned by a younger model in Mickael Barzalona, who has already won the Derby and the Dubai World Cup at the age of 20. These elements collided to hurt Dettori. For a man who has achieved so much and still believes in his own abilities, this is understandable. Winning the showpiece event again at Ascot proved that where there’s life, there’s hope. Dettori rightly pointed out in a post-race interview that although his own ride, and the horse that came second, ridden by Barzalona, were both from the Godolphin stables, when he is out there racing, it is every man for himself.  He might be the darling of the winners enclosure with his cheeky smile and spectacular flying dismounts, but don’t be distracted by the theatrics, this is fighting talk from a fiery Italian.

Dear God, if you are listening, can we please have more hours in the day for sport?

As already mentioned I was at the Investec London Cup last week with the final being held on Sunday. It is fairly unusual that someone who plays or supports one sport, will not like another sport too. A lot of fans enjoy sport but focus in on one or two for special attention. The ‘problem’ recently is that there is so much going on that it’s hard to keep up! In an ideal world I wouldn’t go to work at all, I’d spend my time watching sport, preferably live but I’d settle for the TV or radio. Since hockey is considered a minority sport the organisers of the London Cup were up against it to get publicity out there and let people know what was happening. Unfortunately the competition was England Test match cricket, Formula One grand prix, Test match rugby involving Ireland, Scotland, England and Wales, Roland Garros final, and the Euro 2012 football championship. That’s tough.

This week is no better – the Euros continue, US Open golf, more rugby union, ODIs, MotoGP, while Royal Ascot begins on Tuesday.

And all this before you look across the pond to the land of stats, whoopass, smashing, hussling and ‘oh no he did innt!’ of the NBA. Game 3 of the Finals between LeBrons Miami Heat and the threatening Thunder OKC driven by Kevin Durant is on Sunday night with the series tied at 1 apiece. Sport back to back, all day all night – now that’s what I’m talkin about!