Frankie Dettori won the Qipco 2000 Guineas at Newmarket on Chaldean on what was his final ride in the classic.

The Italian is retiring at the end of the current season and knew he had one more shot at glory in the historic race, to add to his three previous victories in the mile contest.

Never far from the pace, Chaldean (7/2) took a lead off Hi Royal who was just about still in front when he veered across the track, which enabled Dettori to forge into the lead.

The Andrew Balding-trained winner had to dig deep, but he eventually came home a length-and-three-quarter winner from 125/1 shot Hi Royal. Royal Scotsman (11/1) was third with 150/1 chance Galeron in fourth.

Auguste Rodin was sent off the 13/8 favourite but was never travelling for Ryan Moore and trailed home well beaten.

Like a dream

The 52-year-old said: “I’m not dreaming am I? I’m feeling everything. It is just so surreal. I feel like I’m dreaming. It is a bit dark, like your dreams are. Emotionally, it is my last one and to win it is amazing. Now it is sinking in and the tears are coming.

“I was in a fight with Oisin and once I got rid of him something is going to come but I saw plenty of daylight and I thought I can’t believe this is happening. It is my last 2000 Guineas and to win it in front of my home crowd is amazing.

“It is difficult to win classic races and this is my last season and to cap it off with a classic is beyond my wildest dreams to be honest with you. It has been tremendous after what happened at Newbury and I thought at least stay on. My emotions are all over the place. I don’t know if I want to cry, laugh or enjoy it. I’m just so messed up at the moment.

“The crowd gave me an amazing cheer and my son is here and my wife is watching at home. It is my last one and it is even sweeter winning it. I couldn’t have written a better story myself. Thanks to Andrew, Juddmonte and everybody involved as it is very special.

“I must say it is sinking in now and I don’t know what to say. I’m looking forward to going home and re-watching it again and relive the moment. I’ve had a tremendous career and to finish off like this you couldn’t write it.

“It wasn’t his fault at Newbury as someone knocked my iron out of my foot. Today was what mattered as this race makes stallions.

“He has won a Group 1 at two and now a classic and he is by Frankel and full credit to Juddmonte as they have a good horse for the stallion shed in the future.”

Worried

Andrew Balding, the winning trainer, said: “He is a machine isn’t he? I was a bit worried about the mile in this ground but he has done a wonderful job Frankie and he has made the most of our unconventional prep race. It (not getting a race into him) was a concern beforehand but it did him some good because he got out there.

“What a brilliant ride. What can’t you say about Frankie? Ever since I’ve been in the sport he has been an omnipresent superstar of the sport and what a fitting way to ride his last 2000 Guineas. I don’t mind getting wet. We were saying it is a bit miserable but it is much better with people here (compared to empty stands when Kameko won the race). He always looked to be travelling comfortably. I was just worried about getting past Oisin (Murphy) as he can get extra lengths out of horses but once we collared him I was fairly confident. It is sort of relief (that I’m feeling) as we’ve been looking forward to this for a long while so it is a mixture of relief and elation. It will probably sink in soon but it is a big deal.

“How lucky am I that the first yearling they (Juddmonte) sent me was Chaldean. Hopefully it is the first of many. Both he and Kameko have been a joy to train. They are total professionals and are very similar horses. Kameko couldn’t go in soft ground whereas this horse it all come to light (that he can).

“To me he is a miler through and through at this moment in his career. I just can’t thank the team enough as it just doesn’t happen by accident. There are lots of people involved in this horse. The farrier has done a fantastic job. Kevin, who feeds him every morning, Curt who rides him every morning, Chetan, who looks after him, they have all done their bit and I couldn’t be more thankful for the team at home.

“Let’s enjoy today but Ascot (St James’s Palace Stakes) would seem the obvious target. He is in the Irish 2000 Guineas but he has had a hard race today and given him as much time between races would be sensible. If we did go up in trip I would imagine it wouldn’t be until York (Juddmonte International).”

Beaten connections

Bruce Raymond, racing manager to Jaber Abdullah, owner of 125/1 runner-up Hi Royal, said: “That was no surprise as Kevin Ryan told us in the paddock that he thought the horse could run a big race and that he thought he would handle the ground. Kevin wents to get him home and see where we go next but he could be a Royal Ascot type.”

Oliver Cole, joint trainer of the third-placed Royal Scotsman, commented: "He's run a massive race to be third but he was a bit too keen in the early stages. He had no problem with the ground as he goes on anything. It was always the idea to come straight here and hopefully he can improve from this and we can have another crack at the winner at Royal Ascot.”

Kieran Shoemark, rider of fourth home Galeron, said: "He's run a massive race and he was well overpriced. I was wheel spinning early on so he's run well despite the ground. He's a good horse.”

Aidan O’Brien, trainer of Auguste Rodin (12th) and Little Big Bear (14th) said: "It was a little bit of a non-event. It was a non-event for Ryan’s horse and then Wayne’s horse got badly bumped and just got lit up. The whole thing was a bit of a non-event really."