Dettori champ for fourth time

Despite Godolphin's disappointing show at this year's Royal Ascot festival, the Dubai-owned stable's retained rider Frankie Dettori was declared champion jockey for the fourth time.

Dettori won after a five-way tie with Kieren Fallon, Richard Hughes, Johnny Murtagh and Kevin Darley who rode three winners each at the five-day meeting.

The Italian, who rode a double on Saturday with Hold To Ransom in the Sandringham Stakes and Ratio in the Wokingham Stakes, clinched the title by way of his five second-place finishes.

He was previously champion in 1997, 1998 and 1999.

Commenting on his achievement, Dettori told the Racing Post: "I fancied my chances at the start of the week but after Dubai Destination won on Tuesday everything went a bit pear-shaped.

"Everything was running well but we weren't hitting the button and I'd resigned myself to having no chance. Hold To Ransom gave me fresh hope when winning the first race on Saturday and I was praying to God that the judge would announce a dead-heat in the Wokingham."

The photo-finish camera failed to separate Dettori's mount, Ratio, from Fayr Jag, ridden by Willie Supple, which was only the second dead-heat in modern Royal Ascot history.

Middleham trainer Mark Johnston secured the top trainer award for the second successive year with five winners at the Royal meeting.