WALKER MAKES SURE FRANKIE’S FIT FOR A KING
FRANKIE DETTORI has been snapped up to ride Investec Derby favourite English King at Epsom next month.
Dettori, who last week finished top jockey at Royal Ascot with six winners, will be hoping to add to his previous Derby victories with Authorized (2007) and Golden Horn (2015).
English King became a worthy favourite for the July 4 showpiece after his success in the Lingfield Derby Trial, the race won by last year’s Epsom hero Antony Van Dyck.
Tom Marquand was in the saddle on that occasion, but connections have turned to the man who is in a league of his own.
Ed Walker, the trainer of English King, said: “I feel desperately sorry for
Tom, and it is absolutely
KENTUCKY trainer Wesley Ward, famed for his raids on Royal Ascot, is taking Norfolk Stakes runner-up Golden Pal to York.
Ward, who made it 11 victories at the meeting when Campanelle won last week, hopes Golden Pal can land the Nunthorpe.
“I’ve been second in the race twice (Acapulco no reflection of our faith and trust in his ability.
“It’s very tough on Tom, but he has never ridden in a classic around Epsom before.”
Dettori (left) will be wearing familiar silks as English King is owned by Bjorn Nielsen, who enjoyed Ascot Gold Cup success for the third time when the Italian partnered Stradivarius.
English King, now 3-1 from 7-2 with Ladbrokes on account of Dettori, will be Walker’s first Derby runner.
“He’s in cracking form — really well in himself,” added the Lambourn trainer.
“It’ll be a big nerve settler for me having Frankie on board. He’s certainly the best I’ve seen and arguably the greatest jockey of all time, especially on the big stage.” and Lady Aurelia), and it would be great to win it,” said Ward.
■ EMMET MULLINS, nephew of Irish trainer Willie, has been fined €5,000 and banned from racecourses for three months after breaching Covid-19 protocol by entering Leopardstown on June 14 having been already refused access.