Ramonti rises for Godolphin

Ascot, Berkshire: Godolphin's long wait for a first Group 1 success of the season ended in dramatic fashion at Royal Ascot yesterday when Frankie Dettori delivered a masterly performance aboard Ramonti to snatch the Queen Anne Stakes.

The Italian appeared to find no more in the ex-Italian horse as he was passed by Jeremy and Turtle Bowl on either side approaching the final furlong, but forced Ramonti to dig deep into his reserves and come up with a final thrust.

George Washington, last year's champion miler, could only finish fourth in his comeback race after a failed career at stud.

Ramonti's win ended a barren run for Godolphin in the premier division since Punctilious took the Yorkshire Oaks in August 2005. It was also Dettori's first Group 1 victory in Godolphin's blue colours since he partnered Caradak to win the Prix de la Foret Casino Barriere de Biarritz at Longchamp in September 2006.

Ramonti was giving Godolphin a seventh success in the Queen Anne in the last 12 years.

His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, was the first to welcome his new-found star into the winner's enclosure at the remodeled Royal racecourse.

'Enjoy racing him'

Speaking to BBC television he said: "Some years you have good horses and some years you don't. We enjoy it. If you don't have good horses this year, you look for more horses to come up.

"We liked Ramonti when we saw a video of his races. We thought we would enjoy racing him."

Dettori, fresh from three Classic victories earlier this month, thrilled the top-hat wearing race goers with his flying dismount.

Then, struggling to catch his breath and keep his emotions under control, he said: "They all went by me, but I knew they would come back. He really dug deep and got his head down for me on the line.

"It's been a while since we won a Group One in England. I'm so happy and thrilled for my boss [Shaikh Mohammad] that he is back to where he belongs."

Ramonti only joined the Godolphin stable over the winter and on his first European start in the Judmonte Lockinge Stakes at Newbury, last month, he was only beaten a short head by Red Evie.

George Washington, on his return to the track after his fertility problems, ran too keen and did not look like he would make an impression on the leaders.