Frankie Dettori recorded his 500th winner at Newmarket in the best way possible when Inspiral (10/11 favourite) came home the breathtaking winner of the Group 1 Virgin Bet Sun Chariot Stakes.

It is just over 35 years since Dettori, who is in his final season in the saddle, won his first Newmarket contest when as a 17-year-old apprentice he partnered Chadenshe to victory in the Techturf Handicap on September 29th, 1988.

The popular Italian’s 500 winners at Newmarket are made up of 282 on the Rowley Mile and 218 on the July Course. Today was his first victory in the Virgin Bet Sun Chariot Stakes since it has been staged over a mile and upgraded to Group 1 status in 2004, although he did win it when it was staged as a Group 2 10-furlong contest aboard Red Slippers in 1992.

Travelling well throughout, Inspiral raced in midfield before moving up to challenge for the lead passing the three-furlong marker. After hitting the front just inside the final quarter mile, the result was never in doubt as Cheveley Park Stud’s homebred daughter of Frankel powered home to win by three and three-quarter lengths from French challenger Mqse De Sevigne (100/30).

Today’s victory was a fifth Group 1 success for Inspiral and the John and Thady Gosden-trained filly has won at the highest level aged two, three and four.

Frankie Dettori said: “We knew the pace wasn’t going to be that strong and she wants a much stronger tempo. She has got a crescendo of three furlongs and I didn’t want to mess around so I thought come on let’s go and let them come and try and catch you. She strode out really well. She is a super filly when she is on song and today she was.

“I had the gap between Saffie (Osborne) and Oisin (Murphy) and Saffie decided to join us. I didn’t want to mess around by looking for gaps so I thought I will give her some clean air and let her use her stride and once I got that sling shot down the hill it was all over. She showed the world today what a superstar horse she is.

“She gave me a nightmare ride in France but today she was good. I was quite worried when she was so quiet as when they are quiet it is maybe because they are over the top or maybe they are in season but that wasn’t the case. She was quiet because she was having a good day.

“When I got to 499 last week I thought at least I’ve got Inspiral to look forward to as I know she will be thereabouts. I didn’t know until last week when Amy Starkey (Jockey Club Managing Director-East) told me I was so close. Newmarket has been my home for 38 years. It is fantastic to be able to do it (ride 500 winners at Newmarket) in a Group One on a special filly. I couldn’t have written a better ending.

“My first big one here was on Didicoy for Jeremy Tree and Khalid Abdullah in the Coral Bookmakers Handicap. I was only a teenager but that for me then was like winning the Derby. All my Guineas winners are special.

“My last Guineas winner, Chaldean, I knew I had a chance but I didn’t expect it and that was probably the sweetest one I had.

“I woke up this morning with a knot in my stomach. I didn’t feel myself. I felt nervous, sad and emotional, but at least I’ve got it done now. I’ve got two weeks left. It is getting close and I’m getting so many best wishes but I would be human if I wasn’t like this.

“Longchamp they were amazing, York they were amazing. Everywhere I’ve been they have been incredible, and I don’t think it will be any different on my last day at Ascot. I’m allowed to cry that day, but I’ve tried to keep it together today.”

John Gosden, who trains Inspiral in partnership with his son Thady, added: “She was in top form today. The ground was quick, and she runs on anything bar the heavy of Goodwood. She showed a lot of class today there is no doubt about it. She travelled well and there was a good pace. Andre (Fabre’s) dual Group One winner from Deauville was second so it is solid form.

“We missed the Lockinge as she had a muscle spasm problem so by the time we got to Royal Ascot she was only about 80% fit. She was only beaten a neck that day and she got a touch tired in the last half a furlong, but she has been faultless since. She had an elaborate piece of work in the Sussex Stakes, but we were clear if she didn’t handle the ground we would wrap up on her and head to Deauville.

“There was a lot more pressure on today as she is a very good filly, and the ground is quicker here than we would expect to find here in the autumn. It is real fast summer ground, but she has run absolutely superbly, and I couldn’t be more pleased.

“Plans, we will see. She is in the QEII and she could be entered at the Breeders’ Cup but we won’t make a decision for at least a week or two. I always want to see how they are two or three days after the race before making any grandiose plans, let alone plans. They would be the two options if she is in good nick. One lady will decide, if she races on, and that is Mrs Thompson. That was only her fourth run this year and she (Inspiral) is weighing the heaviest she has ever weighed.

“It is lovely (for Frankie to get 500 Newmarket winners). What a way to do it in a Group 1. He is an absolute icon. He is wonderful and he has been great over the years to work with and continues to be so. I’m sure I’ll be running some horses in California for him.

“He is great to work with in the mornings and not all jockeys are like that. He is a great judge in the mornings on his work and I will miss him there as much as racing in the afternoon strangely. I would have thought when he retires he fully retires.

“He is doing it cleverly. He is not just stopping bold. He is doing it the right way. He is bringing it down gently. He will be riding in Japan, Hong Kong, California and in the Middle East in the winter. Where there are big races, he will pop up. I don’t know that (if he was to carry on riding in Britain after this year), but it would be a huge thing.”