He’s Frank-ly irreplaceable
SOMETIMES, the sport of horse racing seems to go out of its way to be impenetrable to the man and woman on the street, hiding itself beneath a wide-brimmed hat, a plummy accent and a complex web of interbreeding.
Then up pops Frankie Dettori, hugging Arabian royalty, air-punching, leaping from the wonderful Enable.
And all that after reminding the world he is not just racing’s greatest showman, its most marketable asset, he is also a jockey of the very highest class.
Whatever you thought of James Doyle’s ride on the Prix de L’Arc de Triomphe runner-up, Sea of Class, one thing is certain – Dettori gave his mount a better one.
Dettori (above) turns 48 in December and his riding career must be in the home straight. But when he packs it in, Frankie will leave a hole the sport will struggle to fill.
THERE are ongoing negotiations between England players, lawyers and the FA over the distribution of commercial payments.
Fair enough, but a word of warning.
The public have bought into this squad but they will easily cash out if they see players earning £200,000 a week with their clubs haggling over a few quid to be earned with England.
Especially if they start getting the odd beating or two, which is highly likely.
Stay classy, lads.