by Franco Raimondi

As Italian-born Frankie Dettori pushed home Sudan on Sunday in the $423,878 Gran Premio de Milano (Ity-G1), an enthusiastic crowd of 13,000 at San Siro racecourse cheered “Welcome home Frankie.”

Sudan, a four-year-old chestnut colt by Peintre Celebre, had only a maiden win to his credit, although he had placed in several stakes, but his recent form and Dettori made him the favorite in the six-horse field.

Sudan got a perfect trip to hold off strong-finishing Hattan by a nose.

“Sudan traveled smoothly and he picked up so easily with two furlongs to go. He relaxed too early but he had a fast turn of foot,” Dettori said, just seconds after his customary flying dismount.
 
Hattan, an English Group 3 winner who finished second in the Premio Roma (Ity-G1) in Rome last year, was in search of his first Group 1 win. He finished three lengths in front of third-place finisher Exhibit One, who set a slow pace for the first 1,200 meters (5.96 furlongs), clocked in 1.16.
 
Dettori put Sudan in the right place, just behind the pacesetter, and he pushed the button 200 meters out.
 
Sudan finished the 2,400-meter (11.93-furlong) race in 2:32.10 on a turf course rated as good.
 
John Rowan, a schoolmate of owner Gary Tanaka, collected the trophies while Dettori called his mother Iris Maria to the ceremony.
 
Sudan is to be sent to the United States, but he was shipped after the race to trainer Michael Jarvis in England.

Dettori won the Premio del Giubileo with Miles Gloriosus but could not capture the $529,848 Oaks d’Italia (Ity) (Italian Oaks). He rode a perfect race with Moi Non Plus, finishing second, 1 ¾ lengths behind the superior winner Fashion Statement.

A gallant third on May 5 in the Weatherbys Bank Cheshire Oaks, just one length behind subsequent Epsom Oaks (Eng-G1) winner Light Shift, Fashion Statement snatched the lead 300 meters to home and won easily.

Not entered in the Epsom Oaks, Fashion Statement will head to the Yorkshire Oaks (Eng-G1) on August 22 at York.

Dettori flew home to England tired but happy Sunday night. On Tuesday, he will have his first starter as breeder at Royal Ascot.
 
Yem Kinn, a two-year-old Dubai Destination colt who won his debut on May 12 at Ascot, was bred by Dettori.

“I will watch the race from the jockey’s room, but I’ll push him strongly,” he said.  “I’ve his dam, his half sister by Singspiel (Ire), and a foal by Dubawi.”

Franco Raimondi is a Europe-based Thoroughbred Times correspondent