Inquiry looks into Dettori’s ‘positive test’
Successful Italian jockey Frankie Dettori is to face an inquiry by French racing authorities after ‘positive test’.
Italian jockey Frankie Dettori, one of the biggest names in flat racing, is to face an inquiry by French horse racing authorities after a ‘positive test’ at Longchamp in September, the rider’s legal representative said.
“On behalf of Frankie Dettori I can confirm that, as a consequence of a positive test at Longchamp on September 16 2012, he will be the subject of an inquiry by the Medical Committee of France Galop next week,” said Christopher Stewart-Moore in a statement.
“In compliance with, and out of respect for, the regulations of France Galop, he will not be commenting further until the France Galop procedures have been completed.”
On that day, the British-based jockey had four races at Longchamp that included riding Joshua Tree to third in the Qatar Prix Foy.
The Sunday meet was a day of major trials for October’s Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe meeting.
The statement did not specify what the positive test was for. France Galop was not immediately available for comment.
The 41-year-old Dettori, who enjoys celebrity status in the sport, announced in October that he was ending his 18-year stint as retained jockey for the Godolphin stable of Sheikh Mohammed, for whom he has ridden more than 100 Group One winners around the world since 1994.
Dettori memorably won all seven races in one afternoon at Ascot, England, in 1996, costing bookmakers millions of pounds in payouts to gamblers.