Paris Parfait

Dettori rides Authorized to triumph at York

Tension and excitement build, waiting for the Juddmore International Stakes race to begin August 21 in the Ebor Meet at York, England.

LaFranco Dettori rides Authorized towards the racecourse. The horse is trained by Peter Chapple-Hyam and is owned by Saleh Al Homeizi and Imad Al Sagar.

Here they come, full speed ahead!

The horses round the bend at a spirited pace.

Dettori powers Authorized past strong competitors Dylan Thomas, Duke of Marmelade and NotNowCato.

Dettori urges Authorized onward towards the finish line.

He's got it! Authorized wins the Juddmonte International Stakes, Group 1, Class 1! Racing pundits expect Authorized to be a strong contender at the Prix de l'arc de Triomphe on October 7 at Hippodrome de Longchamp, Paris.

Race officials and photographers wait for Frankie Dettori to ride Authorized into the Winner's Circle at York.

One of the horse's owners is interviewed by local television.

An Equidia television reporter from Paris interviews one of Authorized's happy owners.

A jubiliant LaFranco Dettori riding Authorized is led into the Winner's Circle.

Dettori talks to officials, after his traditional victory leap from the horse.

Mission accomplished, Frankie Dettori heads to the jockey quarters for post-race procedures.

All photos are copyright of Tara Bradford and may not be used without express permission.

A day at the races in York

Jockeys walk past horse owners and trainers on the way to their rides last Tuesday at the Ebor Meeting at York, England.

Crowds spill into the streets at the races.

Another crowd scene at York.

Horses parade around the rink prior to each race.

Lucarno was the winner of the Ladbrokes Great Voltigeur Stakes, Group 2. Ridden by Jimmy Fortune, the horse is trained by JHM Gosden and owned by George Strawbridge.

The Veuve Cliquot pavilion on opening day at the York Racecourse.

The Juddmonte hospitality pavilion was fronted by two late-model Jaguars.

A Channel 4 (England) reporter reads from her notes before the start of the race.

Jockey Johnny Murtagh heads towards the racecourse.

Irish horse trainer Aidan O'Brien checks his phone for messages.

An enthusiastic crowd watches a close race.

Horses round the bend at full speed in their quest for victory.

Racehorse owners chat in the parade rink at York.

York grandstands and private boxes for viewing the races.

Wearing an elaborate hat on opening day of the Ebor Meet at York.

The grandstands decorated by rows of fresh flowers.

Jockey Jamie Spencer en route to the racecourse.

A pensive Jamie Spencer, pre-race.

Jamie Spencer rides a different horse in another race at York.

LaFranco Dettori rides Sargeant Cecil in the Weatherbys Insurance Lonsdale Cup, Class 1. The horse is trained by BR Millman and owned by Terry Cooper.

A reflective Frankie Dettori, riding Sargeant Cecil en route to the racecourse. Septimus, ridden by Johnny Murtagh won the race.

Booths are set up allowing punters to place their bet on each race. No, we did not place any bets!

Channel 4 eccentric horseracing personality John McCririck compares notes with a punter. Besides his penchant for horseracing, McCririck is known to British audiences for participating in Celebrity Big Brother and Wife Swap television shows.

The Channel 4 team share a laugh. Look at the size of McCririck's cigar!

Jockeys head towards their mounts.

Post-race enthusiasts head home across the Skeldergate Bridge in York.

More racegoers in their "Ladies' Day" finery head home. Several women attending the races seemed more appropriately dressed for a wedding than the races.

The wanderer returns

Photos of a wicker picnic basket and vintage leather luggage at the North Yorkshire Moors Railway station in Pickering, England. We rode two fantastic steam trains; photos and stories to come.

David and I arrived in Paris late Saturday, after two fun-filled weeks in jolly olde England. As one might expect, we were treated to rain, fog and cool weather, with occasional bouts of sunshine. Our journey took us from Devon in the Southwest to York and Northumberland in the Northeast, Along the way I snapped hundreds of photos, exhausting my camera's battery. Plus I had to buy a new memory card and my pen ran out of ink, from jotting down so many notes!

One of the holiday's highlights was meeting the fabulous Di Overton of Designers' Block UK and her charming partner Harvey. Stories about that and much more, beginning Monday. Today David and I are hosting friends visiting from Canada. Am looking forward to catching up with all your blogs and email soon!