Press release: Dettori farewell tour rolls on to Stockholm Cup International

Ten declarations for the Group 3 Stockholm Cup International include the last three Swedish Derby winners when Hard One To Please, who won the 2022 running, is set to be joined in the line-up by 2021 victor, Stroxx Carlras, and this year’s winner, Ayani, owned and bred by Benny Andersson’s Chess Racing.

Dettori will face stiff opposition in his bid to add a Bro Park winner to his international CV, most notably from British weighing room colleague Hollie Doyle. Doyle rides Outbox, runner-up in the last two runnings of the Stockholm Cup for trainer Archie Watson and Hambleton Thoroughbreds, who joins Christophe Ferland-trained Big Call to endorse the international element of the event.

Annike Bye Hansen, trainer of Dettori’s mount is delighted to have secured the services of the charismatic Italian who will be making his first visit to Bro Park having previously ridden winners at Täby which closed its doors to make way for the opening of the new Stockholm venue in 2016.  She said, “It's an immense honour that he wishes to ride my horse. We're dedicated to ensuring Hard One To Please is in top form for the Stockholm Cup.”

Stockholm Cup Day at Bro Park has become an increasingly international event in recent years and a now familiar target for British trainers with Kevin Ryan, Jane Chapple Hyam, William Haggas and  Roger Varian all represented alongside Watson who also saddles Throne Hall ridden by Nick Scholfield in the 3,800m hurdle which opens the ten race mixed card.

Dennis Madsen, Head of Racing at the Swedish Racing Authority, Svensk Galopp, said, “We are delighted to have the opportunity to welcome Frankie to Bro Park and we are thrilled that he has chosen to include our principal fixture as part of his farewell tour, especially as it falls the day after the St. Leger at Doncaster.

“We have been following Frankie closely this season and it is evident that he is still very much at the top of his game so, hopefully, we can expect fireworks in the Stockholm Cup.

“Once again we can boast a top quality programme with a strong contingent from the UK which further underlines the strength of our product and high levels of prize money in Scandinavia, and the warm welcome we offer to owners.  We wish them all a successful and enjoyable trip.”

The Stockholm Cup is due to go to post at 17.10 CEST (16.10 BST) and will be shown live on leading satellite horseracing channel, RacingTV, as part of the broadcaster’s coverage on the day.