JOCKEY FRANKIE DETTORI has rubbished reports that he is about to retire from horse racing.
The 41-year-old was passed over to ride Godolphin’s lone entry in Friday’s Investec Oaks, Kailani, in favour of the 20-year-old Mickael Barzalona.
That was noted in some quarters as confirmation that Dettori is no longer the first choice for Godolphin after two decades, and that he could call it a day.
However, he told the Daily Telegraph that he has no plans to quit.
“I have no plans to retire. I am still young for a top jockey and I have many good years ahead of me. I will back myself to beat anybody. Let’s get to Royal Ascot and see what happens,” said the Italian.
Godolphin’s racing manager Simon Crisford backed up Dettori, saying, “Frankie is riding better than he ever has and I can see no reason why he would not be with us for another five years.”
