'He'll answer his critics' - team behind Dettori's only Saturday ride keep faith

The only connections to book Frankie Dettori on Saturday have voiced their support for the jockey – who it was announced on Friday will be taking a sabbatical from his role as retained rider for John and Thady Gosden – saying they are "permanently indebted" to him.

Jamie McCalmont, bloodstock agent and racing manager to Marc Chan, believes Dettori remains one of the best jockeys on the planet and the friction in Clarehaven stables has not deterred him from booking the rider for promising two-year-old Lezoo in the Listed Maureen Brittain Memorial Empress Fillies' Stakes (2.05) at Newmarket.

Last October, Dettori and Angel Bleu carried Chan's silks to two Group 1 victories in France, while McCalmont recalled the Breeders' Cup wins of Wilko, in the 2004 Juvenile Turf, and Red Rocks' success in the Turf two years later as testament to the rider's talent.

Brian Meehan and McCalmont after Red Rocks won the Breeders' Cup Turf at Churchill Downs in 2006Credit: Edward Whitaker

McCalmont said: "He's won two Breeders' Cups for me with Red Rocks and Wilko and he's been a major part of my racing career. I will permanently be indebted to him for as long as he's riding.

"Between Paul Reddam [owner of Red Rocks] and various other people I work for, my strike-rate with him is incredible. I first met Frankie in California in 1988 and we've been very close ever since. I look forward to watching him continue to entertain the crowds."

Dettori was criticised by John Gosden for "overcomplicating" the ride on Stradivarius in the Gold Cup at Royal Ascot last week, while the trainer also said he should have won on Saga in the Britannia Stakes.

The Gosdens did not book Dettori for any rides on Saturday and an announcement of the break in their partnership was made following crunch talks on Friday.

'One of the top riders in the world'

McCalmont believes some of the criticism is unfair and pointed to the rider's high-profile recent wins, such as his fourth Dubai World Cup victory on Country Grammar in March.

He added: "I don't think many jockeys would have won more prize-money than he has in 2022. I'm sure Frankie will answer his critics and prove he's one of the top riders in the world, and I'll look forward to seeing that."

Lezoo is among the favourites at Newmarket on Saturday, having won impressively on debut at Bath.

"I think it's an open race but she's certainly got a chance," he added. "She won her maiden impressively but this is a completely different ballgame.

"This is a horse having only their second start as a two-year-old, so it's hard to know really what's going to happen. We go into the race with an open mind."

Spotlight view: Dettori's Saturday mount

Lezoo (2.05 Newmarket)

A €110,000 breeze-up purchase last month; made a winning debut at Bath (5f, good) two weeks ago, leading close home and leaving the impression she had plenty left in the tank; should be suited by this extra furlong; promising filly who is a very interesting contender.

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Frankie Dettori and John Gosden: the highs and lows of a great partnership

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