Dettori all praise for Gayego after Dirt Mile

Frankie Dettori rode Gayego to a third-place finish in the Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile, the best finish among six Godolphin horses competing on Saturday at Louisville, Kentucky.

Gayego was eighth coming out off the last turn, but ran well down the stretch and finished a length and half behind the winner Dakota Phone. Morning Line was second by a head.

"Gayego ran great. They went fast which suited me and he really finished good," Dettori said.

"He is such a big horse and ... he takes a while to wind up. I didn't rush him and it nearly paid off."

In the main event Blame scored a thrilling upset over the previously unbeaten mare Zenyatta in the US$5 million (Dh18.36m) Breeders' Cup Classic.

Zenyatta, a six-year-old mare who had won 19 consecutive races, threaded her way through traffic from last place while the crowd of 72,739 urged her on. It was so close, the result had to be resolved by a photograph - a picture that saddened millions of fans around the world.

"People who didn't know anything about horse racing became fans because of her," Blame's jockey Garrett Gomez said.

Zenyatta's 19 consecutive wins had tied her for most all-time with Peppers Pride, who retired last year after running against much lesser competition.

Mike Smith, Zenyetta's jockey, blamed himself for the loss. He walked off the track with his head down, dirt stuck to his face.

"It was my fault," he said, sobbing. "She should've won."

Blame went to the front in mid-stretch, then fought off another gutsy run by the massive mare, who lagged well behind 11 rivals - all boys - in her customary style.

Smith furiously tore through six pairs of goggles to keep a clear view of things as Zenyatta worked her way through the pack. "I just wish I would have been in the race a little earlier because I think the outcome would have certainly been different," he said.