Frankie Dettori Awaits his Epsom Derby Fate

Frankie Dettori, the widely decorated jockey, will find out today if he will be able to take part in this weekend’s big racing feature, the Epsom Derby. Dettori will attend a meeting in France and come before a medical committee to determine whether he is fit to ride, after he was banned from racing for six months in cocaine related charges.

Dettori was banned by the French racing authority France Galop after he tested positive for cocaine in September.  Despite the fact that Dettori’s six month ban is over, France Galop refused to reinstate his jockey license, saying that a test in April had produced an “irregularity” and more tests needed to be done.

The Chief Executive of the British Horseracing Authority, Paul Bittar, said that he was hopeful that Dettori would be able to ride in the Epsom Derby on Saturday, considered one of the most prestigious races in the world.  “I know they [French racing authorities] are very hopeful he’ll satisfy all their requirements in the next few days,” said Bittar. “If they can, we are in a position to green light him very quickly.”

Dettori underwent one final drug test on Monday this week, and the results will be in today.

According to the rider’s manager, “We’re hoping Frankie will be back in time for Epsom, maybe on Friday. All we can do now is wait for France Galop’s medical committee to meet on Tuesday, which should resolve everything after the recent unexpected delays. There was a blip in one test in the middle of a series he took in April. Although the French were unhappy about the one test, it was really much ado about nothing.”

The 42 year old rider has been Champion Jockey three times, with his most celebrated achievement being riding all seven events winners at Ascot in 1996 on Champion’s Day.