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'We'll have to move on' - Dettori in the dark as he loses rides for Gosdens

Leading jockey Frankie Dettori will not be riding for trainer John Gosden on Saturday
Leading jockey Frankie Dettori will not be riding for trainer John Gosden on Saturday

Frankie Dettori's business manager said on Thursday the rider would "have to move on with whatever John and Thady Gosden have done" after he lost rides on the yard's runners at Newmarket on Saturday.

Peter Burrell said he and Dettori were "in the dark as much as anyone else" after James Doyle and Robert Havlin were chosen to ride for the Gosdens, despite the three-time champion jockey being available to take the mounts.

The move came a week after John Gosden strongly criticised his number one jockey for his riding at Royal Ascot, chiefly when beaten in the Gold Cup on Stradivarius.

'We're in the dark'

The shock news prompted speculation over whether last week's high-profile criticism marked the end of their hugely successful partnership, with Betfair installing Hollie Doyle as 4-11 favourite to take over as the primary rider at Clarehaven Stables.

Burrell said: "Frankie rang up the Gosden office this morning to discuss riding plans for the weekend, as he usually does, but didn't get a call back. We're in the dark as much as anyone else, which is a strange position to be in.

"We only have questions, not answers. We know absolutely nothing, so we'll have to put the jigsaw together ourselves. Whatever John and Thady have done, we'll all have to move on with."

ASCOT, ENGLAND - JUNE 16: Kyprios ridden by Ryan Moore beats Mojo Star (6) ridden by Rossa Ryan and Stradivarius (3) ridden by Frankie Dettori on the way to winning The Gold Cup during day three of Royal Ascot 2022 at Ascot Racecourse on June 16, 2022 in
Frankie Dettori was criticised for his ride on Stradivarius (right) in last week's Gold CupCredit: Alex Livesey (Getty Images)

James Doyle takes over on favourite Sunray Major – who has been ridden in all bar one of his races by Dettori – in the House of Cavani Criterion Stakes, while Havlin, second jockey at Clarehaven Stables, rides Stowell in the House of Cavani Fred Archer Stakes, and Mimikyu in the 1m4f fillies' handicap.

Dettori, who has been on holiday in Sardinia this week, has one ride at Newmarket on Saturday, partnering Lezoo in the Listed Maureen Brittain Memorial Empress Fillies' Stakes for trainer Ralph Beckett and owner Marc Chan.

The absence of Dettori on any Gosden-trained runners comes a week after a public outburst by John Gosden following the defeat of Stradivarius in the Gold Cup at Royal Ascot.

Gosden had initially lamented the tactics used by Dettori on Stradivarius in dropping back through the field and having to switch wide in the straight when short of room. In response to the defeat, the eight-year-old's owner-breeder Bjorn Nielsen said: "You can't blame the horse here."

The former champion trainer reiterated his criticism of Dettori the following day, and also condemned the rider's attitude after the Gold Cup, when the jockey was beaten on Saga in the Britannia Stakes and Reach For The Moon in the Hampton Court Stakes for the Queen.

Speaking after Dettori guided Inspiral to a wide-margin win in the Coronation Stakes, Gosden said: "Our hero overcomplicated it yesterday and I was clear in my definition of that. I think it's right to say what you think. It's over, it's past, it's finished and we move on.

"You can't keep looking back. You discuss it, you deal with it, and you move on. These are horses; they need your full attention and not wandering around with your lip down. You just get on with it.

"The great thing is Stradivarius is still in good form and Saga – who should have won – as far as he's concerned did win."

The Gosdens and Dettori did not respond to requests for comment.


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.


Newmarket Saturday: full card and race details


Read these next:

Hollie Doyle odds-on favourite to be John and Thady Gosden's next stable jockey

'Our hero overcomplicated it' – Gosden criticises Dettori despite Friday success

John Gosden: I wish we'd been handier and not had to go around a wall of horses


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David MilnesNewmarket correspondent

Published on 23 June 2022inBritain

Last updated 20:07, 24 June 2022

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