Dettori sacrifices Ebor festival to ride in France as quarantine rule kicks in

Frankie Dettori will ride Mishriff and Palace Pier in France this weekend with the subsequent quarantine he faces when returning to Britain ruling him out of the prestigious Ebor festival at York next week.

Dettori's decision to ride the John Gosden-trained pair means he misses the ride on Lord North, winner of the Group 1 Prince of Wales's Stakes at Royal Ascot, in Wednesday's Group 1 Juddmonte International, for which he is 4-1 second favourite behind Ghaiyyath.

However, the BHA outlined on Friday that any racing professional travelling to France could attempt to reduce their quarantine period to seven days by undergoing two Covid-19 tests on their return.

Palace Pier, winner of the St James's Palace Stakes at Royal Ascot, contests the Group 1 Prix Jacques le Marois at Deauville, while Prix du Jockey Club scorer Mishriff runs in the Group 2 Prix Guillaume d'Ornano.

Mishriff: Prix du Jockey Club hero runs at Deauville

Gosden said on Friday: "Frankie will ride both Mishriff and Palace Pier at Deauville this weekend. Obviously it's not ideal with the 14-day quarantine coming in and it means he'll miss York, but these horses have been targeted at these races for some time and he was keen to ride them.

"The main ride he'll miss is Lord North in the Juddmonte, but we thought it was worth doing."

Dettori said on Friday: "I spoke to John [Gosden] at great length this morning. With no Enable or Stradivarius, my York rides were looking a little bit light. Lord North is still a big ride to miss and he was the one that was tempting me to stay.

“But both Mishriff and Palace Pier are exciting Group 1 winners too and the prize-money for the races at Deauville is unbelievable."

He added in his Sporting Index blog: "Two weeks of staying at home afterwards isn’t ideal, but we’re racing for an incredible amount of money at Deauville and I thought it was worth taking the chance.

"It’s going to be very tough staying at home and watching the Ebor Festival, but after that the fixture list is quite quiet and on the balance of things I think going to France is a good choice.”

The introduction of the 14-day quarantine for those returning from France by the UK government from 4am on Saturday has thrown running and riding plans into chaos as connections weigh up whether or not to head to Deauville.

The full 14-day quarantine may not have to apply for those returning from France this weekend, the BHA outlined on Friday.

A statement read: "Any jockey, trainer or member of stable staff wishing to participate in a French fixture will either have to self-isolate for 14 days on return or elect to use the elite athlete exemption which requires undergoing two Covid-19 tests upon return to the UK.

"The first test should be taken as soon as is possible following return to the UK and a second test seven days on from return to the UK.

"Both test results will have to be negative and the participant would also have to satisfy any other requirements that the BHA's medical department may impose as part of a risk assessment process, such as being interviewed and providing details of accommodation and other movements whilst overseas.

"The BHA reserves the right to prevent the participant from returning to a race fixture in Britain until the full 14-day self-isolation period is up should there be any concerns regarding potential transmission of the virus."

The BHA added: "The BHA has been assisting participants this week who have been considering riding in France in the near future, and will be publishing a full protocol for all participants considering travelling to countries without a travel corridor as soon as possible to assist in their planning."

One horse not making the journey to France is Royal Ascot winner Onassis, who had been due to contest the Prix de Lieurey for Charlie Fellowes and Hayley Turner.

Hayley Turner: would have forfeited TV work and riding fees if she'd ridden Onassis in France this weekendCredit: Pool

Fellowes said: "Unfortunately Onassis is a non-runner in France tomorrow for a number of reasons but mainly because of the rain they've had.

"Also Hayley wouldn't have been able to give up two weeks of riding fees and TV work just to go and ride Onassis and she gets on best with her, so we're not going. We now plan to sit tight for either the Atalanta Stakes at Sandown next week or the Sceptre Stakes at Doncaster next month."

The UK government announced on Thursday evening that people returning from France would have to quarantine for two weeks, after the country recorded 2,524 new cases of coronavirus in 24 hours, its highest daily raise since the lifting of lockdown in May.

An exemption could yet be sought for jockeys competing in biosecure environments as long as the government is satisfied suitable health and sanitary protections are in place around the site of competition.

The Irish contingent in the Marois, which includes the Aidan O'Brien-trained Circus Maximus, Jessica Harrington's Alpine Star and last year's winner Romanised, are already subject to a 14-day quarantine upon return to Ireland.

Billy Lee, the regular rider of Romanised, is set to sacrifice two weeks of racing in Ireland to maintain his partnership with the 2018 Irish 2,000 Guineas winner.

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