THE sun never stopped shining, the corks never stopped popping and people's champion Frankie Dettori looked like he would never stop winning. The St Leger at York was a triumph.

Scooping a hat-trick of race victories, including the classic itself on red hot favourite, Sixties Icon, Dettori delighted the crowd with his infectious personality.

Even those of us who didn't win a thing all day couldn't help but warm to him.

Particularly after he delivered his trademark flying dismount before playfully carrying his two children onto the podium for the St Leger presentation.

The atmosphere was electric all day, with many of us having to fight our way to put a bet on or buy a drink.

It was pleasing to see such a good turnout of South Yorkshire folk supporting the temporary home of the Doncaster classic.

There was also the usual Geordie invasion and stag night revellers in fancy dress. A party of Hawaiian-shirted men and teems of people dressed as the Blues Brothers brought a touch of colour and fun to the grandstand and paddock area.

A girl in our group, who was there to celebrate her fiancee's 30th birthday, was also left red-faced after winning £150 in the second race. A huge cheer went up after the cork on her bottle of bubbly unexpectedly popped out and nearly drowned her in champagne. Suffice to say she didn't share what was left.

I could have done with a sip after backing a succession of losers. Sweet Lilly, Woodcote, Goodbye Mr Bond and Mountain in the big race, all promised me untold riches but delivered nothing.

Thank goodness Frankie was there to cheer me up.