I love my sport... but what’s going on in Italy and here is heartbreaking
FRANKIE DETTORI hoped to be celebrating victory in the Dubai World Cup this morning.
But, like everybody else, the planet’s most famous jockey must content himself with a more humdrum reality.
The coronavirus pandemic caused the $12million race, in which Dettori was due to partner American challenger Sir Winston, to be called off, along with the $23million supporting card scheduled to be run at Meydan yesterday.
So no attempt at a fourth victory to add to triumphs aboard Dubai Millennium (2000), Moon Ballad (2003) and Electrocutionist (2006).
“Riding in the big races all over the world has been part of my life for so long that it’s hard to remember a time that I didn’t do it,” says the father of five. “This time of the year is usually an exciting time for a Flat jockey – the 2020 season was due to start at Doncaster on Saturday.
“But these are extraordinary times. We’ve got to do what the experts tell us to stop the spread of the virus, so my wife Catherine and the kids are just going to have to put up with me!”
Followers of Dettori on social media will have seen him putt a golf ball along a table into a wellington boot, and work on his cookery skills.
But the 49-year-old has also devoted his efforts to a Gofundme page to raise funds for the Italy’s Red Cross – the Croce Rossa during the Covid-19 crisis that has ravaged the Lombardy region of northern Italy.
The subject is close to Dettori’s heart. He was born in Milan where his father Gianfranco was based during a career that saw him crowned champion jockey of Italy on no fewer than 13 occasions.
Although he moved to Newmarket in his teens, Dettori still has strong links with the area, adding: “The Gofundme page is in support of the Croce Rossa, which is doing incredible work in the most difficult circumstances imaginable. “I grew up in Milan, which is the epicentre of the outbreak in Italy, and it has been heartbreaking for me to follow how the lives of my friends and family have been affected.
“Of course, so many lives here in the UK have also been very badly affected, but I wanted to do what I could to help the suffering in my homeland.”
In addition to 20,000 humans, Newmarket is home to 3,500 thoroughbreds, including the equine stars in the care of
Dettori’s boss, champion trainer John Gosden, at the Clarehaven Stables on the town’s Bury Road.
They include two-time Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe heroine Enable, staying great Stradivarius and last season’s unbeaten St Leger winner Logician.
With all racing in Britain cancelled until the end of April at the earliest, Gosden must rethink his plans for the Clarehaven runners.
“All that seems a long way off at the moment,” says Dettori. “The horses are getting the best possible care at the moment.
“Once we are clear to race, I’ll be the first in the queue to ride them and get back to a normal life. But at the moment the priority isn’t horseracing. It’s for people to listen to what the experts say... stay well, stay safe and stay at home.”