Frankie Dettori: could be riding on the all-weather in Britain next week

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FRANKIE DETTORI returned to the saddle for the first time in more than three months on Tuesday and revealed to the Racing Post he could be back race-riding, on the all-weather in Britain, as early as next week as he bids to put the injury that robbed him of the winning ride on Treve in last year’s Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe behind him.

The former Godolphin number one, who broke his ankle in a fall from Eland Ally before the start of a race at Nottingham just four days before the Arc, received the all-clear following a scan on Monday and immediately put his fitness to the test when riding out for Jeremy Noseda in Newmarket.

The three-time champion jockey is now looking forward to resuming his duties as retained rider to Sheikh Joaan Al Thani. In addition to Treve, who he partnered to success in the Group 1 Prix Vermeille at Longchamp before her devastating display in the Arc, Dettori can look forward to renewing his acquaintance with other stars such as the Richard Hannon-trained Group 1 winner Olympic Glory.

Dettori said on Tuesday: “It’s all positive as regards returning to the saddle as the scan was clear when I had it yesterday and I was back riding out for Jeremy this morning. Thankfully, it went well and I didn’t feel a twinge or anything from the ankle, which is the same one that I broke in my plane crash 14 years ago but on the other side.”

During the early stages of his recovery Dettori had to wear a cast and, later, a boot on his foot. He has been working hard on his fitness in recent weeks but there is one form of treatment he has not resorted to. 

He said: “I have been doing the usual things to build up my fitness including long walks, but I have yet to take up Ryan Moore’s offer of  a session of cryotherapy, where they put you in a chamber with a temperature of  -130C!”

Rather than resume riding in Qatar or Dubai, Dettori revealed he wants to hone his fitness closer to home. He said: “If all goes well I would be looking to return to race-riding on the all-weather here towards the end of next week.

“My aim is to get going again here, but I am due to go to the King’s Cup meeting in Saudi Arabia next month. After that, if Sheikh Joaan wants me to pop over to Dubai or Qatar to ride one I will, but I will be mainly based in Britain for the rest of the winter.”

Arc heroine Treve will be one of the plum rides Dettori can look forward to this year, and reflecting on the prospect of renewing his acquaintance with the four-year-old, the jockey said: “It’s the middle of January so it will be a while before I think about Treve, but obviously she is one of many to look forward to when I get going again.”

fonte: RacingPost