Cracksman the champion at Ascot

The John Gosden-trained Cracksman, ridden by Frankie Dettori, has won the Champion Stakes at Ascot.

Cracksman has turned on a brilliant display to give trainer John Gosden and jockey Frankie Dettori a first Champion Stakes win at Ascot.

His win was also a first Group One victory in Europe for his sire, the unbeaten champion Frankel, who capped his career with his 14th and final win in the same race in 2012.

Having decided not to tackle stablemate Enable in the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe (2400m), Gosden and owner Anthony Oppenheimer decided to drop him back to Saturday’s 2000m-race.

Racing prominently throughout, the 13-8 favourite drew clear once sent to the front by Dettori, crossing the line seven lengths clear of Poet’s Word with Highland Reel another neck third.

“That was amazing. It’s my first Champion Stakes and he put a good field to bed in the manner of a champion,” Dettori said.

“I’ve not got words to describe it, brilliant.”

“Today is Cracksman’s day, let’s enjoy him. If I had to choose between him and Enable I wouldn’t know who to ride. They are two champions and we go into the winter to dream.”

Cracksman completed a Group One double for Dettori and Gosden after they earlier captured the Queen Elizabeth II with Persuasive.

“He seems to have got bigger and stronger. If he started a middleweight, he is now a light heavyweight,” Gosden said.

“He handled the ground better than anyone and he has won it in true style.

“I think in the Arc it was a difficult decision, but I think Enable was more in the zone and streetwise than him. I was happy with the decision we made and I think it was the right decision.”