Frankie Dettori returns from huge ban without his right-hand man of 36 years and desperate to get season back on track
FRANKIE DETTORI finally returns from his lengthy ban on Saturday – but does so without his right-hand man of 36 years.
The world’s most famous jockey knows he has to get his career back on track with opportunities for big winners drying up.
Dettori has been out serving bans for careless riding and breaking whip rules at Royal Ascot.
He gets the ride on 7-1 Lezoo in the Group 3 Hackwood Stakes at Newbury on Saturday.
But Dettori will be at the track without Peter Burrell, his longtime agent who has been with him through all the highs and lows of his incredible career.
Sun Racing told you the two had decided to call quits on their time together.
Burrell said: “I’ve not too much to say other than we both felt that we wanted to explore other avenues.
“I have other projects that I now want to spend more time on and I’m looking forward to it.
“It’s been a great 30-year run and we remain great friends.”
Dettori, 52, is retiring at the end of the season and Burrell has since started working with young superstar Billy Loughnane.
Lezoo’s owners dithered on running her in the July Cup and ultimately went for Kinross, who finished second to Shaquille.
It appears the three-year-old filly has been kept fresh for Dettori’s return but she’ll need to buck up her ideas if she is to contend at Newbury.
Currently around a 6-1 chance – expect that to shorten with news of Dettori’s booking – Lezoo was eighth in the 1000 Guineas and tenth in the Commonwealth Cup.
Both times she was ridden by Dettori for owner, and good mate of the jockey’s, Marc Chan.
But a genuine Group 1 winner, she looks to have been saved for a good opportunity to score in a race below her usual level.
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