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Watch here: Rocco Dettori tries out his flying dismount after race against dad

Frankie Dettori takes his son Rocco to new heights at Ascot Racecourse  ahead of them both riding at Olympia,The London International Horse Show.  Frankie  is looking to  retain his title in the Markel Champions Challenge in aid of the Injured Jockeys Fun
Frankie Dettori watches on as son Rocco executes a flying dismount at AscotCredit: Mark Cranham

At Ascot on Saturday, Frankie Dettori partnered Enable the wonder horse. At Ascot on Monday, he partnered Sheila the little horse.

On this occasion the aim was not to win the King George but to beat son Rocco.

The two Dettoris, one aged 46, the other aged 12, were at the sport's most famous venue, scene of the former's Magnificent Seven, to promote their Olympia appearances at the London International Horse Show.

Dettori senior will be there on Friday, December 15, captaining fellow jockeys against a team led by Sir Anthony McCoy in the Markel Champions Challenge show jumping event, a fundraiser for the Injured Jockeys Fund.

Dettori junior will be there throughout the show, racing in the Shetland Pony Grand National, which supports The Bob Champion Cancer Trust. His mount then, as it was here, will be Barry (official name, Beeswax), who he rode to win a qualifying race in Somerset last week.

Prior to the Ascot showdowns Rocco had some words of advice for his father.

"You've got to sit straight on the horse," he told the former champion jockey, who quickly pointed out: "I've done this before."

Frankie Dettori takes his son Rocco to new heights at Ascot Racecourse  ahead of them both riding at Olympia,The London International Horse Show.  Frankie  is looking to  retain his title in the Markel Champions Challenge in aid of the Injured Jockeys Fun
Frankie and Rocco Dettori ride together up Ascot's home straight on MondayCredit: Mark Cranham

Once the battles had been fought (the honours belonged to Rocco), the advice this time came in the other direction.

"The best tip I can give you is to stay on the horse," said Frankie, before revealing a desire to race against his son should Rocco's dream of joining the weighing room come true.

"He rides well and has good style," he said. "I wasn't too pleased when he told me he wanted to be a jockey, but he is pretty determined, so I'm going to guide him the best I can.

"I rode against my dad and now there's every incentive for me to stay on for as long as I can so I can ride against Rocco."

At Ascot on Monday, Frankie got an early taste of how that will feel.

If you are interested in this you might like: Dettori praised for diet of 'fish and water' to make Enable weight

Lee MottersheadSenior writer

Published on 31 July 2017inNews

Last updated 21:01, 31 July 2017

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