Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
DETTORI STILL HAS THE MOTIVATION FOR NEW GOALS
FRANKIE DETTORI admits racing’s lockdown on March 17, following the coronavirus epidemic, had made him feel like he had retired.
But with his 50th birthday in December, the Italian is not ready to hang up his saddle just yet.
“Having no racing has been a bit like being retired,” said Dettori, a Sporting Index ambassador.
“I don’t like it! I’ll be 50 later this year, but I’ll be giving myself a couple more seasons at least.
“My body can still do it and I’m still in demand, so long may it continue.”
Dettori has no booked rides on Monday at Newcastle, where it is expected racing will resume behind closed doors. But the sport’s greatest showman admits he will be missing the crowds.
His trademark flying dismount is unlikely to be seen until the public can return to the racecourse.
“I love the crowds and it’s going to be a lot different performing in front of empty stands,” he said. “Hopefully, come July they can begin letting people attend meetings.”
Despite the lack of action, Dettori believes he will not lack for match practice. “I’ve been working in the gym and on the gallops with a mask on,” he said.
“It’s not ideal but it’s what they’ve been doing in other countries and we just have to get on with it.”
As for ambitions to fulfil, there are two races he hopes to capture for the first time.
“I’ve never won a July Cup, so I’d love to win that, and then there’s the Melbourne Cup which would be a massive thing for my CV,” he added.
As would be a third victory in the Arc de Triomphe with Enable.
“I’ve been going to John Gosden’s four times a week, so I’ve obviously seen a lot of Enable,” said Dettori. “I’ve not sat on her yet, but I’ll go and see her and give her a few apples, polos or whatever she fancies.
“From head to toe she looks as good as she did last season, she’s bouncing around and walking about the yard like she owns the place.
“It’s a similar plan to last year, starting with the Eclipse at Sandown and then everything working backwards from a tilt at winning a third Arc.”
He is also is looking forward to partnering Stradivarius in Friday’s Coronation Cup at Newmarket. His main target is obviously the Gold Cup,” said Dettori.