So Mi Dar gave me the biggest thrill, now it’s the Oaks all the way

This week has been my best of the year so far. It’s all about riding the best horses to win at the biggest meetings. Simple. And nothing has given me a bigger thrill than So Mi Dar.

I’m 45 but I still feel like a young man on days like this and that’s what ticks the boxes for me and gets me fired up.

I have to say though, it’s Oaks, Oaks, Oaks now. It’s not my decision of course but talking to Lady Webber there’s no mention of the Derby at all which makes it an easy decision – the filly simply hasn’t entered the picture for the Derby.

What’s special about her? She’s got that X Factor that means as a jockey when you sit on her you never think you’re going to lose. She’s works well at home, is a great traveller and has a very good turn of foot.

Of course I’m frightened of Minding but whatever passes me wins. Minding sets a very high standard, she’s a tremendous filly, but we are proven over the distance and on the track which is one advantage over Minding.

We did what we had to do on Wednesday and in style and now there’s a lot to look forward to.

Next stop Royal Ascot for Magical Memory

Magical Memory got me off to a brilliant start and one thing I want to say is that you don’t see many sprinters still pulling double with a furlong to go.

We’ve got a Group 1 in our sights now and it’s clear to see that he’s improved from three to four. I think six furlongs is bang on his trip, we won’t be coming down to five so next stop is the Diamond Jubilee where I’d have a strong chance of another Royal Ascot winner with him.

I’ve got the best three-year-old for the Derby

Picking Wings of Desire over Foundation was an easy process: his homework is good and the ground suited him whereas Foundation wanted a bit of cut.

John and I believe that due to his action and the way he gallops he may not be suited to Epsom so that’s why I deserted him. I needed to find my Derby ride and I’ve got one now who I believe to be the best three-year-old out there, capable of improving the most too.

Wings of Desire confirmed what he was showing at home at York. He’s still very raw and when a horse goes and wins a trial like that, you know you’ve got a good one who can only get better – after all John hardly worked him before March.

He’s going to race against the same horses, so we should know where we stand. The only negative at this stage is that it looks like we’ll have a big field so we’ll need luck in running, but that applies to them all.

One thing I want to make clear though, just because I’m riding out of my skin at the moment there’s no chance I’d ever want to be champion jockey again. Talk of it is banned! It doesn’t make any sense for me, either financially or physically.

It’s great to be riding like this for John again though which gives me a real buzz – we’ve got a great chemistry at the moment. We’re now in perfect shape for the classics and I couldn’t have asked for much more at York.

Bring on Epsom!

Frankie.

All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing.