KING CHALS

Balding's star gives Frankie 'surreal' Classic crown in final season

- DAVID YATES

FRANKIE DETTORI drove Chaldean to a "so surreal" 2,000 Guineas triumph as the legendary jockey's farewell tour bore Classic glory at the first attempt.

His first mount on a momentous day saw Dettori come a fast-finishing second on Saga, carrying the royal silks of newly crowned King Charles III and Queen Camilla.

But the 52-year-old Italian, whose own reign at the top of the sport will end in the autumn, savoured victory in the QIPCOsponsored test over an hour later as the Andrew Balding-trained 7-2 chance fought up the hill to beat 125-1 outsider Hi Royal by a length and a half, with Royal Scotsman half a length back in third.

"Once I got rid of Oisin, it all started coming down on me - Is this really happening? I can't believe this is happening to me," said Dettori, who announced in December that 2023 would be the final season of his legendary career.