Injured Dettori rues missing out on Royal Ascot riches

Frankie Dettori has admitted watching Lady Aurelia and Big Orange winning at Royal Ascot last week from the sidelines "wasn't pleasant".

The jockey said he had spent all year looking forward to the meeting only to miss out due to a parade ring fall at Yarmouth in which he broke a bone in his shoulder.

In his absence Lady Aurelia won the King's Stand Stakes under John Velazquez, Big Orange landed the Gold Cup with James Doyle aboard while Dettori's boss John Gosden won two races as well.

Dettori also misses the ride on Cracksman in the Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby but said there was still plenty of the season left as he confirmed he was on course to return to action in time for the July festival, which begins on July 13 and the Darley Irish Oaks (July 15) in which he would be expected to partner Oaks winner Enable.

"Of course, I watched Royal Ascot and I admit it wasn’t pleasant," said Dettori, who is recovering in Sardinia, in his Ladbrokes blog. "I had some very good rides that I was so looking forward to.

"I basically spent all year waiting for Ascot and then five days before the meeting I fell. At the time it looked like a very ordinary fall but I twisted my shoulder and cracked it so that was frustrating.

"I missed out on riding Lady Aurelia, Big Orange, and a couple of John Gosden’s runners too. At the same time I was obviously really pleased for the connections of my horses. Lady Aurelia is a superstar. She is very close to my heart and I was so pleased for Wesley Ward.

"Even though I was missing the meeting, I still spoke to James Doyle and John Gosden and tried to give them as much advice as possible.

"These are horses I want to ride in the future and do well. I just have to forget about it now and think that we are only halfway through the season. There is still lots to look forward to."

Dettori has been staying with his parents but expects to be back next week when doctors will check his progress.

"At the moment, I’m spending my days swimming to help my shoulder, a bit of sunbathing, eating good food, and spending time with my parents," he said.

"I’m very pleased with my progress and I'll be back in the UK next week to have my last check-up and hopefully I will be able to start riding out again. I want to be ready in two weeks’ time for Newmarket."